Small and medium sized enterprises could benefit from vacant buildings being transformed into thriving business hubs thanks to a new initiative.
Grants of between £10,000 and £65,000 from the Rural Enterprise Programme will be made available to businesses that can demonstrate they will create jobs as a result of a move to the refurbished building. Grants are also available to property owners with a business lined up to occupy their premise. Businesses and property owners will need to match fund any grant. The initiative is being coordinated by Staffordshire County Council.
The funding can be used for works to build or refurbish workspaces, build extensions, installation of services, access works, car parking and landscaping works needed for planning permission. Properties in all areas of Staffordshire are available, including the county’s towns. Properties will need to be converted for manufacturing, creative or service industry use.
Staffordshire County Council’s communities leader Gill Heath said: “It remains a top priority of the county council is to continue to support job creation, particularly better paid, better skilled jobs. The Rural Enterprise Programme is an addition to our package of support for small businesses, helping them to expand and create jobs. It will also add incentive to Staffordshire businesses to utilise existing buildings and further grow the county’s economy.”
Grants are not available for retail, agriculture, tourism or residential end uses. Funding for the scheme has come from the European Regional Development Fund.
Anyone wanting to find out more should visit www.staffordshire.gov.uk/REP call 01785 277400 or email REP@staffordshire.gov.uk
