Small and medium-sized Staffordshire businesses can find out more about how they could get the backing to transform under-utilised buildings into productive use and access a range of support at an event next month.
The Grow Your Workspace workshop on July 27 will help businesses understand Staffordshire County Council’s Rural Enterprise Programme and how to apply for grants. There will also be a presentation by Cannock Chase Council’s planning team in addition to talks on the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Growth Hub and the Low Carbon Business Evolution Programme.
The Rural Enterprise Programme is making grants of between £10,000 and £65,000 available to businesses that can demonstrate they will create jobs as a result of a move to the refurbished building. Funding can also be used for new builds. Property owners can access grants if they have a business lined up to occupy their premise. The initiative is being coordinated by Staffordshire County Council, with funding coming from the European Regional Development Fund.
The event takes place at the Aquarius Ballroom and Function Suite, Victoria Shopping Park, Hednesford WS12 1BT, starting at 2pm. People can sign up for the event at: https://grantsandplanningworkshop.eventbrite.co.uk
Properties will need to be converted for manufacturing, creative or service industry use. The funding can be used for works to build or refurbish workspaces, build extensions, installation of services, access works, car parking and landscaping works needed for planning permission. Properties in all areas of Staffordshire are available, including the county’s towns. Grants are not available for retail, agriculture, tourism or residential end uses.
Staffordshire County Council’s communities leader Gill Heath said: “It remains a top priority of the county council is to continue to support job creation, particularly better paid, better skilled jobs. The Rural Enterprise Programme is an addition to our package of support for small businesses, helping them to expand and create jobs. It will also add incentive to Staffordshire businesses to utilise existing buildings and further grow the county’s economy. July’s workshop will also give advice and guidance on how businesses can access a range of support. I’d urge people to attend and find out how the programme could make a difference to them.”
Anyone wanting to find out more should visit www.staffordshire.gov.uk/REP call 01785 277400 or email REP@staffordshire.gov.uk