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, email 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.

Visit the AMBITION programme website for more details.

Open4Funding

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.

Your business and the EU Referendum

You can get reliable, relevant and up-to-date information, and submit questions on the mygov.scot website - a single point of contact for businesses in Scotland.

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: Rachel.McCallum@south-ayrshire.gov.uk

There are no deadlines for applications.

West of Scotland Loan Fund

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

Ayrshire LEADER

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

Business development