What is the grant available for?
The Council has allocated £50,000 to the Small Business Grant. This fund will be a discretionary grant scheme, offering grants of up to 40% of eligible costs. Grants are available from £500 up to a maximum of £5,000, with minimum project cost being £1,250.
Applications will be assessed and processed on a first come first served basis. Once all monies are committed, no further applications will be approved.
The grant will be used to facilitate growth and expansion of local micro businesses or those that are seeking to relocate to North Kesteven.
Capital or Revenue or Both?
This scheme is principally supporting all capital investment related expenditures. This means equipment costs, for example installation of new equipment and physical works are eligible. This is not exhaustive, and what is or is not capital expenditure will be decided by NKDC Finance Team as per council standards.
A limited selection of revenue-based costs related to training are now to be included as eligible for this scheme in 2025/26. This will include accredited training courses and professional qualifications. Note these will still need to demonstrate that they will offer growth opportunities to the business.
All other revenue costs including ongoing operational costs, feasibility costs, consultancy costs, salary costs, stocks, hire costs are excluded.
Percentage of project cost
Up to 40% of eligible costs.
Any eligibility criteria
The grant is available for micro businesses in North Kesteven, that is those that employ between 1 and 9 full time equivalent employees. In exceptional circumstances, the fund may be available to businesses employing up to 15 employees.
The grant is open to businesses from any sector, which have been trading for a year or more, with their first set of accounts completed.
Businesses from all sectors can apply, but priority will be given to those businesses operating in the key sectors for North Kesteven. These are:
- Agri-food
- Low carbon
- Manufacturing
- Health and care
- Visitor economy
- Retail
- Defence and digital
Businesses must be based in North Kesteven or proposing to set up within North Kesteven.
This grant will not normally be available for prototype/product development, however, please check with the funding team for a formal view on eligibility.
What grant amounts are available?
£500 up to a maximum of £5,000, with minimum project cost being £1,250.
How to apply for the grant?
Click here for more information and how to apply.
Contact information:
North Kesteven District Council
