Fast track grants in support of Shropshire’s wider economic recovery launched

Does your business offer goods and services that directly support other businesses in Shropshire?

Would that business initiative you’ve been piloting or have launched over Lockdown benefit from an immediate cash injection to advance its reach for the county’s business benefit?

If so, a grant scheme has today been launched that is open to all enterprises in the Shropshire Council area that can show that their activity meets local economic need and provides Shropshire-wide business outcomes, that are sustainable and provide legacy, as we emerge from the coronavirus pandemic.

This can be through the provision of amenities that improve events and festival spaces, increasing footfall into business areas by utilising the services on offer such as delivery schemes, environmental initiatives and incentive schemes.

Additionally, organisations who are conduits for other businesses gaining new contracts can also be considered. Match funding towards projects that are awarded this grant funding is encouraged.

Grants of £10,000 to £25,000 one-off funding can support immediate, summer activity that can be easily identified, reported and monitored that shows the intervention of this grant has improved the wider Shropshire economy.

Ed Potter, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for economic growth, regeneration and planning, said:

“This is an exciting initiative for our businesses to accelerate their activity that demonstrates wider benefit during these difficult times, and one I am pleased to get behind in my new role.

“It can also support activity that may have already started in the last few weeks and could ultimately boost its effectiveness. This shows how we as a council are responsive to business needs and can quickly allocate resources to where it can have the most effective for our business base.

“But businesses do need to move quickly as the grant round is only open until 18 June and is provided on a first come first served basis.”

Applications must be made via Shropshire Council’s website. https://shropshire.gov.uk/covid19widereconomicrecoverygrant