Calderdale offers new grants to small businesses to boost local economy

Monday, 15 June 2009

Calderdale Council’s Economic Task Force have just launched three new business support schemes to help local businesses progress.

Calderdale says that the new grants are among the initiatives the Council is taking to support new growth and investment in Calderdale’s economy.

The three new schemes are;

Business Improvement grants

Financial assistance is now available for businesses within Calderdale for physical improvements to their premise.

Expansion and advancement projects are particularly encouraged to improve business sustainability and to support the creation and safeguarding of jobs.

Grants of up to 25% of the cost of the total eligible works, from £1,000 minimum up to £20,000 maximum are available.

All small to medium sized enterprises in Calderdale (businesses with less than 250 employees and an annual turnover of less than £44million) are eligible to apply.

The grant can be used for internal and external works such as electrical works, windows, ventilation, extension and renovation, among others.

Start-Up Grants

Grants of £500 will be available for new businesses establishing in Calderdale, to help them with any aspect of starting their new enterprise.

Applicants need to have a business plan approved by Business Link Yorkshire before the Council will approve the start-up funding.

Start-up grants apply to all areas of Calderdale and anyone establishing a new business in the Borough area, other than some specific exemptions covering money lending and hire purchase, betting shops, landlords, promotion of political and religious views and immoral activities.

Silver Entrepreneurs

Silver Entrepreneurs is a new initiative to encourage, assist and support the over 50’s into self-employment or starting their own small businesses, through a series of information events, workshops and business support.

The next twenty years will see a major shift in the population age in Calderdale, with the over-50's becoming increasingly important, not only in number, but in economic power and their ability to shape the development of the economy.

In the current bleak and recessionary economic climate, redundancies have already accelerated alarmingly, and those most affected are traditionally the older workers. Calderdale Council is keen to see these important members of the community make the most of their skills and experience.

Councillor Amanda Byrne, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Development:

“Local businesses are vital to our economy, and Calderdale Council is keen to support them through this tough economic time.

“We hope these schemes will be a great help to those businesses looking to either start up or progress.

“The projects should help to create and safeguard jobs – which is essential in the current climate.”

For more information on the Business Improvement Grants and Business Start Up Grants, and for an application form, contact Jon Crowther or John Hodgson on (01422) 392810 or (01422) 392235. For more information on Silver Entrepreneurs contact Tim Dugdill on 01422 392319.