A new grant fund is available in the Caerphilly county borough to help fledgling businesses get off the ground.
The ‘Community Business Support Fund’ provides financial support to help eligible new businesses develop and grow. This flexible grant scheme is being delivered through a partnership involving Caerphilly county borough council and UK Steel Enterprise (UKSE).
Corus subsidiary UKSE supports the economic regeneration of communities, working in former steel areas across Wales and the UK assisting job and wealth creation. It does this mainly by supporting small and medium enterprises with finance and premises.
“New businesses are the future, and are a vital ingredient in creating a strong and versatile economy,” said Andy Morris of UKSE. “They all need capital and premises to take their first steps and we aim to provide this wherever we see the potential to create wealth and jobs. “I hope the new Fund will play an important part in the economic life of the community, as similar schemes have in other areas.”
Cllr Ron Davies, CCBC cabinet member for regeneration, said, “We welcome this exciting new funding stream and hope that many new businesses will be able to benefit from the support available. This new partnership with UKSE will help regenerate our former industrial communities and I would encourage anyone interested in starting a new business to get in touch to see how we can help.”
In the Caerphilly county borough the fund is designed to help residents set up a full-time business for the first time, where they are not able to access funding from any other source.
Business start-ups in all business sectors may be considered (excluding retail). Applicants must be a resident of Caerphilly county borough and the business itself must also be located within the county borough.
Eligible costs could include:
- Capital equipment
- ICT equipment
- Development of websites
- Marketing
- Building works to business premises
To find out more about the grant and eligibility criteria please contact the council’s Economic Development team on 01443 866222.
