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Business Development
Business Assistance
South Ayrshire Council offers a range of packages designed to assist local businesses.
- Business Development
- Open4Funding - Funding Sources Finder
- South Ayrshire Collaborate for Growth Fund
- West of Scotland Loan Fund
- Ayrshire LEADER
- South Ayrshire Rural Communities Grant
The following comprises an overview of the activities and projects that may attract
funding assistance. This information is not intended to be definitive of the business
development assistance programmes operated by South Ayrshire Council. If any of
the areas covered are of interest, or you have some queries about whether the Council
could help you, contact the
Business Development Team.
Business Development
Our aim is to encourage the creation and growth of small businesses which can contribute
to the South Ayrshire economy and create employment opportunities.
The Council's business engagement officers can meet with businesses to offer help
and advice.
Charities, community groups, social enterprises and voluntary organisations can
search for themselves through the hundreds of Government, Lottery, charitable and
other funds available on a European, national, regional and local basis. Search
for funding for General Community Benefit, Education & Training, Health, Disability,
Youth, Sport and lots more.
South Ayrshire Collaborate for Growth Fund
This scheme helps businesses take advantage of the efficiencies created by working
collaboratively. The aim of the scheme is to support the development of co-operative
enterprises in South Ayrshire which can create enhanced economic impact through
collective working. All collaborative projects which can demonstrate increased sales
revenues from out with the South Ayrshire area, improve sector efficiency or increase
local employment opportunities will be considered.
To find out more or to receive an application pack please contact: Jane Toye, e-mail:
jane.toye@south-ayrshire.gov.uk
or
Rachel.McCallum@south-ayrshire.gov.uk
There are no deadlines for applications
Do you wish to introduce new processes or equipment or expand your business? Have
you raised all the cash you can from your own resources and the banks? Is there
still a funding gap? Did you know that the Council might be able to help gap fund
the project at competitive rates and with the possibility of a capital holiday?
South Ayrshire Council operates loan funding from the West of Scotland Loan Fund.
The Business Loan Fund seeks to encourage the creation and growth of South Ayrshire
businesses and can offer loans up to £50,000 to existing businesses trading for
more than 2 years or up to £30,000 can be arranged for new or existing businesses
trading for a shorter period of time. Loans must form part of a wider funding package.
Capital holidays and flexible repayment terms can also be arranged. Please note
that loans are not available towards the purchase of land and buildings.
Rural
This scheme supports new, creative and ambitious projects that support community
based economic, social and environmental improvements and actions. This two-stage
flexible programme part-funds small project budgets of a few thousand pounds through
to much larger projects with budgets in excess of £200,000. Grants are offered up
to 50% of eligible expenditure up to a maximum of £250,000.
There are two strands to this programme
- Fast Track: applications up for grant assistance up to £20,000 are considered on
a rolling basis
- Main Programme: applications for grant assistance over £20,000 are considered by
the Local Action Group which meets on a quarterly basis.
For further information contact Sarah Baird LEADER Programme Coordinator on 01292
673765
Deadline for applications: Fast Track – open; Main Programme next closing date for
Stage 2 applications 19 August 2011
South Ayrshire Rural Communities Grant
This scheme provides assistance to constituted voluntary organisations and charities
that operate within rural South Ayrshire towards the cost of projects and activities
that are compatible with the Ayrshire LEADER development strategy and programme.
The grant should form part of a wider funding package that may include the Ayrshire
LEADER programme.
For further information on the Ayrshire LEADER development strategy see www.ayrshire-leader.com/
For further information contact: Alison Blair, Enterprise Service, tel 01292 616135,
email:
alison.blair@south-ayrshire.gov.uk
There are no published deadlines