Funding schemes available to eligible businesses based in Stafford Borough or those looking to relocate into the area are listed below.
Whatever your plans (e.g. adapting premises, purchasing capital equipment, up-skilling your staff, undertaking product innovation or introducing more efficient manufacturing techniques) the Business Growth Team is here to help you every step of the way.
For further information simply complete our enquiry form providing us with information about your business expansion plans.
Alternatively feel free to contact us direct on 01785 61900 asking for Mary Timmis or email economy@staffordbc.gov.uk.
Business Innovation Grant
Our 2023/24 UKSPF Business Innovation Grant allowance has now been disbursed and we await further funding. We expect to receive our allowance in May/June 2024 and anticipate opening applications around 3 June 2024 for the funding to be spent by 31 December 2024.
Please subscribe to this page for further news.
Green Solutions Programme
A package of support to help businesses reduce their carbon footprint. This package includes free carbon literacy training and free energy reviews including recommendations to increase energy efficiency.
In addition to this, Low Carbon Grants are also available between £1,000 and £20,000 up to 50% of eligible costs, to help businesses implement the energy review recommendations such as installing LED lighting, energy efficient boilers and other energy efficiency equipment.
Stafford Borough Green Solutions Programme
Workplace Charging Scheme
This is a voucher-based scheme that provides eligible businesses, charities and public sector organisations with support towards the upfront costs of the purchase and installation of electric vehicle (EV) charge points.
The grant covers up to 75% of the total costs capped at a maximum of
- £350 per socket
- 40 sockets across all sites per applicant e.g. if you would like to install them in 40 sites, you will have 1 socket available per site
Workplace Charging Scheme Guidance for Applicants (Gov.uk)
Gigabit Broadband Voucher
Small and medium sized businesses as well as homes based in selected rural areas, when part of a group can apply for a voucher of up to £4,500 each, to claim against the installation cost of a gigabit capable connection for broadband.
This scheme has been designed to help people experiencing slow broadband speeds in rural areas.
Gigabit Vouchers (culture.gov.uk)
Michelin Development Fund
Unsecured loans and business expertise for businesses based in the north part of Stafford Borough who can demonstrate potential to create jobs.
Michelin Development Business Loan Scheme - Michelin Development
Stoke and Staffordshire Business Loan Fund
An affordable and unsecured loan scheme ranging between £10,000 and £50,000, for viable Staffordshire based businesses, who employ less than 50 people and who are experiencing difficulty accessing finance.
Loans are repayable over three years and must support the expansion or development of the business.
https://bit.ly/BCRSBelievingInYou or contact 0345 313 8410
Staffordshire Get Started and Grow
A referral for free of charge professional services for new business up to five years in business covering, website support, branding and logos, social media support, accountancy support, HR support and legal support.
Get Started and Grow - Staffordshire County Council
Staffordshire Start Up Loan
An unsecured, interest-free loan between £3,000 and £5,000, for eligible businesses who have completed the Staffordshire Start Up Scheme, which offers free mentoring and workshops for start-ups.
The loan has no setting up fee and is repayable in full after 12 months.
This scheme is currently on hold due to funds being temporarily committed.
0% Start-up loans - Staffordshire County Council
British Business Bank Start Up Loan
A 6% fixed interest rate loan and advice and mentoring for businesses who have been trading for up to 36 months.
Loans should be repayable from between one and five years and are aimed at those who are experiencing difficulty in obtaining funding from more traditional sources.
Government Loans UK - Start Up Loans - British Business Bank (british-business-bank.co.uk)
Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF)
MEIF has been designed to provide greater support to the region's smaller businesses, accelerate economic growth and promote job creation in line with the Government's Midlands Engine Strategy.
Through MEIF businesses can have access to:
- £30million of small (SME) business loans ranging from £25,000 to £150,000 available including for start-up firms
- £90million of debt finance available from £100,000 to £1.5million.
- Equity funding up to £2 million - closes 31 December 2023 for new opportunities, however approved/successful businesses will continue to be managed.
- Proof of Concept early stage equity finance of up to £750,000
Midlands Engine Investment Fund (meif.co.uk)
Innovate UK Smart Grants
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £25 million for game-changing and commercially viable R and D innovation that can significantly impact the UK economy.
Competition opens Thursday 15 June 2023 and closes Wednesday 27 September 2023 at 11.00am.
Princes Trust
Helps support young people (18-30 years old) into education, training and employment.
Applicants who have completed the Trust’s ‘Explore Enterprise Course’, can apply for a ‘Test My Business Idea’ grant of up to £500 to help try a new business idea, via market research.
Other grants are available through the Trust as well as 6% interest loans.
The Prince's Trust (princes-trust.org.uk)
BCRS Business Loans
For bank marginal declines, small business loans are available through BCRS, ranging between £10,000 to £150,000 on 5 year terms with no early repayment fees. A 12 month trade history is required to apply.
Business loans from £10,000- £150,000 - BCRS Business Loans
Arts Council National Lottery Project Grants
Grants ranging between £1,000 and £100,000 are available to individual artists and practitioners, community and cultural organisations, museums and libraries.
Arts Council National Lottery Project Grants | Arts Council England
Landscape Recovery Fund
Applications are open until 21 September 2023 for long term and large scale projects that support net zero, protected sites and habit creation.
Farmers and land managers can apply to e.g. create, improve or sustainably manage woodland; restore and maintain peatland; improve the conditions of protected sites and link them so they’re better connected.
Landscape Recovery: apply for funding - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme
Funding is available to farmers and land managers within an AONB, National Park in England or the Broads.
Farmers on land outside of protected landscapes can also apply.
Whilst this is not an agri-environment scheme, it can help fund projects that:
- Support nature recovery
- Mitigate the impacts of climate change
- Provide opportunities for people to discover enjoy and understand the landscape and its cultural heritage
- Project of improve the quality and character of the landscape or place
Get funding for farming in protected landscapes - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The Farming Investment Fund
Through this scheme different funds are open for applications at different times to support farmers, foresters, growers and contractors with grants to invest in new technology, equipment and infrastructure.
Farming Investment Fund - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Contact Us
For further information on how we can help.
Mary Timmis
Growth and Investment Officer
01785 619000