• This measure is aimed at encouraging and fostering new and existing food     businesses in the area.

New entrepreneurs or existing food manufacturing micro-businesses can apply for product and/or process development support packages valued at up to £2,500.  This assistance could be a combination of business support and study/research/best practice visits to help develop new ideas and processes.

Leader+ will work in conjunction with Loughry College to ensure that promoters are given a range of assistance to developt their ideas.  Promoters will be asked to undertake a Business Start Programme before they would be eligible for support.

The programme includes a very limited number of small capital grants(up to £50,000)which will be offered on a competitive basis to either those who have been involved in the above process or who have an existing project to set up and equip a food business in the North Antrim area.  These successful projects will be offered a further three days Business Development Support.

There is a shortage of small scale food producers of high quality in the North Antrim area.  This is in marked contrast to many other areas in Great Britain and Ireland.  One of the barriers to individuals wishing to develop new food production or food processing businesses is the cost of providing premises which meet EU hygiene and health and safety regulations.  Promoters of food-based business projects have to commit to incurring these costs before they have been able to develop sample products or to have market-tested their ideas.

This scheme will firstly enable small businesses to develop, test and market new products and to gain expertise in a very supportive environment.  It will have major spin-offs in terms of adding value to local products and increasing the profile of the North Antrim area.  The capital grants will also help local enterprise units.  The food processing sector is certainly underdeveloped and this measure will help promote food processing in North Antrim.

Technical assistance

• Must have job creation potential
• Must have basic business plan
• Must undertake or have participated in Business Start-Up Programme (if appropriate)

Capital Grant

• Must be based locally
• Must create at least one job or have the potential to do so
• Must undertake or have participated in Business Start-Up Programme (if appropriate)

go to application page . . .