Carmarthenshire - UK Shared Prosperity Fund: Business Growth Grant

Item detail

Maximum value

£ 50,000

Application deadline

30/09/2025

Status

Open for Applications

Background

The Business Growth Grant is provided by Carmarthenshire County Council from funding allocated through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

Objectives of Fund

The funding is intended to support local businesses to grow and/or ensure their sustainability in the current climate, while also creating and/or safeguarding at least one job.

Value Notes

The minimum grant amount is £1,000 based on at least one job being created or safeguarded.

The maximum grant amount is £50,000 - at least two jobs must be created or 10 jobs safeguarded.

Each grant award will be based on 50% of eligible costs OR a maximum of £5,000 per full time job created or £1,000 per full time job being safeguarded, whichever is the lower amount.

Match Funding Restrictions

Applicants should provide the remainder of project costs from alternative sources.

Who Can Apply

The fund is for existing businesses located in Carmarthenshire who are able to create at least one new job or safeguard one existing job that is at risk.

Businesses must operate or service one of the following sectors:

• Advanced Materials and Manufacturing
• Construction
• Creative Industries
• Energy and Environment
• Finance and Professional Services
• Information Technology and Telecoms
• Life Sciences
• Food and Drink
• Tourism
• Retail
• Care

Location

Carmarthenshire

Restrictions

The following sectors are ineligible for support:

• Primary agriculture production
• Forestry
• Aquaculture
• Fishing
• Statutory services eg health and education

Ineligible expenditure includes:

• Staff wages or any other taxes.
• General vehicles such as vans and cars.
• Improvement to premises/minor building works.
• Repair, maintenance and decoration costs.
• Replacing existing fixtures and fittings.
• Working capital costs such as stock, rent, rates, administration.
• Certificates, licences, membership and affiliation to governing bodies.
• Costs of work being carried out as a legal statutory requirement, eg planning permission, premises licenses etc.
• Feasibility studies.
• Professional fees associated with general business consultants including business plans/BID writing and any fees associated in completing an application for grants purposes.
• Secondhand equipment that was purchased using national or European grant money in the previous seven years.
• Website development and e-commerce development.
• Marketing materials.
• If the business is VAT registered, then VAT will be ineligible. VAT will be payable in cases of non VAT registered companies.
• Items committed to or purchased before grant approval.
• Items paid for in cash.
• Items purchased through lease purchase, hire purchase, extended credit agreements/finance leases.

Eligible Expenditure

Grants can be used for capital and/or revenue expenditure, including:

• Buying new or second hand equipment and machinery.
• Shelters, gazebos to create or enhance an outdoor trading area.
• IT and telecoms hardware.
• Fixtures and fittings, furniture and general office equipment.
• Specialist/technical training (not necessarily accredited).
• Commissioning/installation of machinery.
• Specialist software.
• Delivery costs of any equipment.
• Specialist consultants.
• Quality Assurance Certification.

How To Apply

Applications will be accepted until 30 September 2025 or until the fund is fully allocated.

Applicants must first complete and submit an Expression of Interest form which is available from the Carmarthenshire County Council website.