Grant
packages can include capital or
employment grants. Capital grants will normally
be in the region of £10,000-£20,000
(in exceptional cases grants up to £50,000
would be considered) and to a maximum of 50% of
eligible costs. Employment grants will be
paid to a maximum of £150 per week (no more
than 50% of total employment entitlement) with
the funding period being up to 12 months.
The
North Antrim Leader+ (NAL+) programme cannot fund
projects which are simply retail, wholesale or
distribution. There must be an element at
least of production, providing a service, craft
or creating a product.
This
programme is designed to help new and existing
businesses in rural areas. It is aimed at
making rural businesses more competitive with
an emphasis on helping these businesses adopt
new processes, markets or ways of working.
The programme will be targeted at those business
ideas with an innovative approach. NAL+
will not fund projects where there are
significant displacement issues i.e. where grant
assistance to a business is likely to put similar
businesses in the area at a disadvantage. If it
is a new business the applicant will be required
to demonstrate the appropriate skills and ability
needed to successfully run a business. In
particular new businesses will be required to
participate in or have recently participated in
an accredited Business Start Programme to be able
to access assistance from NAL+. Where possible
proposals should have a basic business plan (this
can be a short, simple document) which demonstrates
how the assistance will help grow their business.
NAL+ will work closely with Invest N.I. and
the Local Enterprise Agencies to ensure appropriate
support. In certain cases NAL+ may offer
support in the business planning area or in marketing
in addition to the capital or employment grants
mentioned above. This would be as a separate
package or as an overall part of the grant.
In addition an element of mentoring support
may be offered to successful applicants. This
will consist of up to 3 days support from a professional
advisor in association with the Local Enterprise
Agencies. This will help ensure the rural
businesses maximise the impact of Leader+ assistance.
Only a limited number of grant packages are
available and these will be offered on a competitive
basis.
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