Sustainable Communities
Rural Micro Businesses Employment Grants
Supporting rural businesses helps the local economy and allows the provision of valuable services for people living there
"Grants for rural businesses to achieve development, diversification and income generation"
A grant scheme to support rural business development through improvements based on productivity, profitability, and the knowledge/skills base of employees.
Organisation: Leicestershire County Council, on b/h Leicestershire Rural Partnership
Completion Date: 31/03/2009
Location
Rural areas of Leicestershire
Project Description
Businesses based within rural areas of the county are faced with mounting pressures. The rural micro business grants will help to alleviate these difficulties and provide opportunities for development and income generation - Alan Tuppen, Group Manager Regeneration and Community Development, Leicestershire County Council
Rural micro businesses are invited to apply for up to 50% of funding towards eligible capital or revenue costs to help develop new or existing enterprises. The maximum available to appplicants is £3,000.
Grants will be offered where an applicant can demonstrate that without support the proposal would either not take place, or be delayed or diminished in some other way.
Grants will be available for proposals which are new business development, extension of existing activity or improvements/developments of existing activity.
Eligible captial costs might include:
Acquisition of new or used production machinery, purchase of equipment needed for new products/services, purchase of specialist equipment, fixtures or fittings.
Eligible revenue expenses might include:
Marketing and promotional activity, introduction of a computer or improved communication technology, training in specific employee skills or managment development.
Eligible consultancy costs could cover areas such as:
Business planning and management, market research, personnel management.
Outcomes
The project will assist in strengthening the rural economy. It will provide support aimed at introducing change, new ideas and improved systems to support the development of rural business throughout Leicestershire.
Project Contacts
Project manager:
Sarah Henderson
Tel: 0116 265 7033
E-mail: shenderson@leics.gov.uk
Website: TBA
LSEP contact:
Gill Smitherman
Tel: 0116 257 5676
Email: gills@lsep.co.uk
Website: www.lsep.co.uk
