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Business Development Grants

WARNING:

The RDP and BDG funding can be accessed directly through this website. The city council has not authorised/endorsed any consultants to assist with funding applications, and we strongly recommend that you do not pay a fee or any commission to a consultant to progress your application.

This support package is designed to be free to access, and there is support already in place. Business link offer free support to help complete your BDG application, and a city council project officer will provide guidance with your RDP application, so there is no need for you to incur consultancy costs.

If your business is based in the areas of Sutton Coldfield, Stratford Road, Acocks Green and Alum Rock, please be careful as there are consultants operating in these areas offering this service, who are not authorised by Birmingham City Council.


The Business Development Grant Programme is funded by the Working Neighbourhoods Fund and runs until March 2011. It is aimed specifically at helping new and existing small to medium sized businesses citywide to develop and grow.


Birmingham City Council will manage and deliver this programme in partnership with Business Link West Midlands.


It offers Business Development Grants and up to 2 days impartial consultancy support to assist you in making an application.


Financial Assistance provided by Birmingham City Council will include the following Business Development Grants:


Business Feasibility Grant

A grant of £2,500 available* to help you identify new market opportunities for products and services from local, national or international markets. It can also be used for the design and production of a portfolio or promotional campaign.


*Grant equivalent to 75% of eligible costs (for a business which has been trading between 0-6 months), subject to satisfying criteria and approval of the application by an awarding panel.


*Grant equivalent to 50% of eligible costs (for a business which has been trading for 6 months or longer), subject to satisfying criteria and approval of the application by an awarding panel.


Please note that stand alone websites are ineligible for Business Feasibility grants. A grant contribution towards websites will ONLY be considered if it forms part of a wider marketing strategy, which a business would have to provide evidence of.


Business Space Grants

Between £2,500 to £6,000 available* to help new or existing businesses set-up, consolidate or expand. This could include:


  • Physical relocation to new premises **
  • Rent and rates **
  • Telephone, fax or broadband connection
  • ISDN lines/cabling
  • Business signage
  • New business cards and letter headed paper
  • Installation costs (lighting/heating/electrical)
  • Professional fees
  • Equipment (up to £1,000 of the total grant can be used to purchase equipment)

Please note that it is the applicants responsibility to seek planning permission (if required) for any internal/external alterations made to the business premises.


*Grant equivalent to 75% of eligible costs (for a business which has been trading between 0-6 months), subject to satisfying criteria and approval of the application by an awarding panel.


*Grant equivalent to 50% of eligible costs (for a business which has been trading for 6 months or longer), subject to satisfying criteria and approval of the application by an awarding panel.


**Rent, rates and removal costs are an eligible cost only if the project involves a move to new premises.


Please note that project costs are required to be defrayed/spent by the applicant once approval for the grant is awarded, before the grant can be drawn down and claimed. Costs incurred before approval of the grant is given will not be allowed.


Business support provided by Business Link West Midlands, will include:

  • A free diagnostic with a Business Link Adviser if appropriate
  • Up to 2 days Business Adviser support to assist each applicant to complete their Business Feasibility and/or Business Space grant applications.


Next Steps
To register your interest in applying for a Business Feasibility and/or Business Space grant please read the attachments below which set out the eligibility, criteria and process for applying for a Business Development
Grant.

Please note: Some types of businesses do not qualify for this grant. Please see the attachment below to check whether your business is ineligible before proceeding further with your application

You are not eligible to apply for either of these grants if you are unemployed and claiming benefits.

If eligible to apply and you meet the criteria please download and complete the Registration of Interest form and email it to info@businesslinkwm.co.uk ensuring that in the subject line of your email you specify Business Development Grant.

Contact Information
Business Link can be contacted on 0845 113 1234 or email info@businesslinkwm.co.uk

Links
More Birmingham Business Programmes

Attachments

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