We are delighted to announce that the new £23.5m Business Growth Programme 2 (BGP2) has launched and Funding Round 3 is open for applications.  The deadline for submission of your application is Wednesday 26 June 2019*.

BGP2 offers grants of £2,500 - £1,000,000 and is designed to strengthen supply chains, stimulate innovation and help businesses grow.  The programme is available to:

• Start-Up B2B** Small to Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) moving into or located in The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership area only
• Existing B2B** SMEs moving into or located in The Greater Birmingham & Solihull and The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership areas

Part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and managed by Birmingham City Council, BGP2 builds on the successful delivery of the £33m Business Growth Programme which closed in December 2018.

For further information please visit the dedicated webpage or contact the Economic Development Team by calling 01543 464272.

The Lets Grow Grant is a 50% match funded grant of up to £5000 to help businesses grow and expand.

The grant can help businesses purchase Captial equipment including (but not limited to): office furniture, electrical equipment, machinery or vehicles.

The Business must be paying business rates (or will be) to the Cannock Chase District, trading for at least 6 months, be in the eligible sector and have not committed to the expenditure already.*

For more information please contact the Economic Development Team on 01543 464272.

* Note there are further eligibility criteria

To be eligible you must have been trading 6 months or less, businesses that have been trading longer than 6 months may be able to apply for up to £5,000 to expand their business and take on new staff using the Lets Grow Grant.

Grants of up to £1,500 are available and are match funded by 50% to help individuals that have an idea for a sustainable business which over time has the potential to develop and create jobs. The grants are open to Cannock Chase residents that will be setting up or have recently set up a business in the District.

Applicants must have completed the FREE 12 hours of support available from the Enterprise for Success programme.  The workshops are run regularly in Cannock Chase and nearby Districts and cover important topics such as business structure, business planning, managing finances and marketing.

For more information please contact the Economic Development Team on 01543 464272.

Enterprise For Success is a new project to encourage new business start-ups and to help young businesses grow and thrive. The programme is funded by partners of  the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) and part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.  

The programme provides access to FREE business support delivered by Blue Orchid and combines business workshops with individual, personal business advice sessions.

A FREE two-day Start up Masterclass- this course is aimed at people who are considering, or have taken some steps towards, starting up in business. It covers all aspects of setting up a business – from getting the right mind set to basic financial control techniques, market research and writing a business plan.  Workshops are delivered on a weekly basis across all district areas.

PLUS:

• Direct 1-2-1 support from our experts up to the point where you start your new business
• Events information
• Networking opportunities with other people like YOU and fellow business leaders
• Fact sheets and tips for starting & growing your business
• Online resources
• Social media communities information
• Signposting to additional support and organisations in your area
• Tips on how to research, sell, market and finance your idea

For more information please contact the Economic Development Team on 01543 464272.

The Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub has launched a grant scheme to support the growth of small and medium sized businesses who fall within the SSLEP area.

Providing eligibility criteria is met, applciants can apply for between £1,500 and £10,000 with a minimum project cost of £2500.

For grants of over £5,000, one FTE job must be created within 6 months of recieving the grant.

For more information - Contact the Economic Development Team on 01543 464272.