The North West Leicestershire Rural Business Grants Fund will run until 2025 to fund capital projects for small businesses that will help to improve productivity and strengthen the rural economy.
This programme has been funded by the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. NW Leicestershire District Council received a total of £117,272 for 2023/24.
This programme offers capital grant funding for eligible businesses by providing one-off grants of between £1,000 and £25,000. Applicants must provide a minimum of 50% towards the total project cost.
Eligibility Criteria
Your business must meet the below requirements:
- Employ between 1 and 249 staff
- Be based in North West Leicestershire i.e. you must pay business rates and/or council tax to North West Leicestershire District Council
- Be in “A RURAL AREA for the purposes of REPF” – see DEFRA MAGIC map. Please note parts of Bardon, Coalville, Hugglescote, Thringstone and Whitwick are ineligible.
- Be trading as: Limited Liability, Limited Liability Partnership, Partnership, Sole Trader, Franchise, Social Enterprise or Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee.
- Not have applied for other UK Shared Prosperity Funding for your project
- Be in good standing with NWLDC. For example, fully paid up on any money owed to the council such as business rates.
What can the grant be used for?
The Council would welcome applications to support capital projects, such as:
- purchasing new equipment to modernise and improve the efficiency of your business
- farm diversification in to create rural workspace hubs or tourism facilities such as accommodation, wedding venues and leisure facilities
- investing in to low carbon equipment and energy efficiency measures working towards net zero
- investing in business premises, new technology and innovation.
For full details please review the North West Leicestershire Rural Business Grant Guidance and Eligibility
The application deadline is 5 pm on 30 November 2023. View full details https://www.nwleics.gov.uk/pages/enterprising_north_west_leicestershire_grants
