Businesses in Stafford Borough are again being asked to think BIG with a new £200,000 pot on offer to help them build on their ideas.

Stafford Borough Council has launched the scheme for small and medium businesses to apply for grants of up to £25,000 to help support their ambitions to grow.

Already small and medium enterprises have received more than £320,000 over the last few months after the first round of funding from the Business Innovation Grant (BIG) earlier this year. And now more are being encouraged to get on board following the launch of ‘BIG2.’

The Business Innovation Grant is funded as part of the £4.5m the local authority secured from government after successfully putting forward schemes to help regeneration, climate change and culture.

The £200,000 pot is earmarked for businesses across the borough who receive most of their income from sales to other businesses.

Grants of between £10,000 and £25,000 are available to help develop new products and services - with the fund closing on 31 December.

You can find more information, and apply, from (link no longer available)

The fund covers a large variety of sectors across the borough - including manufacturing, construction, agriculture, and professional services. It can be used for a variety of purposes, such as marketing, training, financial advice, and capital investments.

There will also be business advice available from the local authority as part of the application process. A series of Going for Growth workshops are being delivered by experts ETC at Aston Marina where advice on applying for grants is one of the topics covered.

Councillor Ant Reid, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Planning, said: “We have some tremendous small and medium businesses in the borough and we want to help them grow and thrive.

“I’d encourage any business looking for extra funds to grow their enterprise, bring forward new ideas, improve the service they are already delivering, or promote themselves to a wider audience, to start the ball rolling by applying for a grant.”

He added: “Whether you pursue this grant bid or not, if you are a local enterprise please do get in touch with the team and learn more about the support and advice available to you."

More information on eligibility and how to apply from (link no longer available) or contact a member of the council’s Business Growth Team by email economy@staffordbc.gov.uk or telephone 01785 619584.

Press Release No 6145