Applications invited for latest round of Business Promotion Grant funding

Businesses in Devon have the opportunity to bid for a new round of grant funding to help them reach new customers and clients, following the initial success of the scheme earlier this year.

Devon County Council launched the Business Promotion Grant in February as part of its Devon Delivers programme, which aims to highlight the benefits of locating a business in the county.

Grants of up to £1,000 were awarded to 12 Devon companies earlier this year to promote their goods or services to national and international trade audiences.

The County Council has now allocated additional funding to carry out a second round of the competitive bidding process.

Businesses across Devon are being invited to submit an application for a grant by Friday 1 July 2016.

The funding will support eligible businesses to cover direct exhibiting costs of attending trade shows or events between next month and March 2017.

The Business Promotion Grant intends to help Devon brands to gain national and international exposure which can support the development of their business while also benefitting Devon’s growing economy.

Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, said: “The inaugural competitive bidding process for the Business Promotion Grant earlier this year attracted a really positive response and a large number of applications. This grant has already helped a dozen Devon firms to attend trade shows, providing them with vital exposure and helping to put Devon on the map as the home to thriving businesses. I'm pleased that we've successfully secured some extra funding to be able to open up a second round of bidding for the fund, and I would encourage businesses to apply."

Among the companies to receive funding in the first round of the Business Promotion Grant was Ashburton based Twool, which makes twine from Dartmoor wool. The grant enabled the company to exhibit at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show last month, where the Queen’s bouquet was tied with Twool.

Kim Stead, from Twool, said: “Exhibiting at RHS Chelsea Flower Show is a huge honour and privilege but as a small cottage industry, we couldn’t do it by ourselves. The grant from Devon County Council's Devon Delivers initiative and support from the British Wool Marketing Board made it possible. We were flying the flag for British wool and all British manufacturing, and our highlight was having the Queen’s bouquet tied with Twool. It was also a great opportunity to promote Devon as an area rich in creative thinking, diversity and natural beauty and somewhere I’m proud to call home.”

The grants are only available to businesses or organisations based in the Devon County Council area with products or services originating substantially in Devon. Priority will be given to businesses promoting a new product or service, and also to those in certain sectors including digital/creative, advanced engineering, business/professional, distribution/logistics, research/science, energy and marine.

Application forms and guidelines are available at -  www.investdevon.co.uk/business/devon-delivers-business-promotion-grant/
Applications should be submitted to sarah.mercer@devon.gov.uk no later than noon on Friday 1 July. Successful applicants will be notified by Friday 15 July.