Grant Chance for Green Businesses
News Release from Folkestone & Hythe District Council 15th February 2022
Businesses in Folkestone & Hythe looking to become more environmentally sustainable will be able to apply for green grants of up to £25,000.
The Folkestone & Hythe Green Business Grant Scheme has been agreed by cabinet, with £250,000 for the scheme coming from council’s £5 million Climate Change Reserve.
The initiative will be for all businesses in the district who want to invest in more energy-efficient equipment and machinery which improves their carbon footprint.
Grants will also be available to businesses in the low-carbon and environmental goods and services sector (LCEGS) in the district – or those wishing to locate here – who are looking to develop new products or services to help others reduce their carbon footprint. It is estimated there are about 600 such businesses employing 4,000 people currently in the district (2018 figures).
The scheme will provide a maximum of 40% of the investment normally up to £10,000, but can be up to £25,000 in exceptional circumstances.
Cllr David Wimble, Cabinet Member for the District Economy, said: “By providing these grants we are helping businesses in our district become more environmentally sustainable and we will be supporting the growth of businesses in the LCEGS sector – an economy that is worth more than £200bn in the UK.
“The low-carbon sector grew more than 7% in the two years before the pandemic and while it contracted in 2020/21, it is expected to bounce back in the post-Covid recovery. It is important that we support this sector and the economic growth opportunities it presents for the district.”
Cllr Lesley Whybrow, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “When we declared a climate and ecological emergency in 2019, we pledged to play a leadership role in helping community, public and business partnerships throughout the district commit to reaching carbon neutral by 2030.
“This scheme will help support local businesses to achieve that aim, as well as having a positive social and economic impact.”
The scheme is due to launch at the beginning of the 2022/23 financial year, with funds available until 31 March 2024.
Please note: Full guidelines and application form will be available on this site nearer the 1st April 2022 scheme launch date.
