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South East Business Boost

Are you interested in a financial contribution to help boost your business?

The final tranche of European Regional Development Funding (ERDF) has now been secured to support businesses in Essex, Kent and East Sussex, who are seeking to increase capacity and develop economically.

The funding is exclusively for small to medium sized businesses (SMEs) or start-ups based in the South East (SELEP) area.

Growth grants are now available of between £1,000 and £10,000. The grant can fund up to 30% of the total cost of eligible goods or services.

The grant can contribute to the purchase of a wide range of goods and services related to increasing sales, improving productivity and boosting profitability.

From market research to new machinery, if it helps your business to grow then you could potentially re-claim 30% of the cost up to a maximum grant of £10,000.

In order to be eligible for an ERDF grant a business must:

  • Be a small to medium sized business (with under 250 staff and a turnover under €50 million);
  • Be spending on a project / purchase that has a growth impact on the business (not day-to-day running costs);
  • Have received a grant offer letter from SEBB before starting the project.

The following sectors are ineligible for ERDF funding:

  • Fishery and aquaculture sectors which are supported through EFF;
  • Primary production, processing and marketing of agricultural products, which is supported through EAFRD;
  • The coal, steel and shipbuilding sectors;
  • The synthetic fibres sector;
  • Establishments providing generalised (school age) education should not be supported as this is a statutory duty on local authorities;
  • Banking and insurance companies;
  • Charities and voluntary sector organisations, that are not using a trading arm, are ineligible;
  • Membership organisations that are politically affiliated cannot be supported by ERDF funding, i.e. Conservative Clubs etc.

Grant applications will be assessed within four weeks of being submitted and funding will be provided retrospectively against evidence of payments for approved items.

To find out whether your business and your project is eligible for the funding and to get your application underway, please contact your regional Growth Hub – http://www.southeastbusiness.org.uk or email the programme direct on SEBB@southend.gov.uk

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