NCC - SMALL GRANT SCHEME (SGS)
Are you a growing business and want to become more productive?
Do you want to create new products and move into new markets?
Do you need to invest in new technology to become more competitive?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Norfolk County Council has grants available of up to £25,000 to part-fund projects to a
maximum of 25% of total project costs. The minimum grant available is £2,500.
Location of support
You must be classed as a small or medium enterprise (SME) and located within the
boundaries of
Norwich City Council,
North Norfolk District Council or
Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk*
*(Priority will be given to businesses in the non-rural areas of Borough Council of King’s Lynn
and West Norfolk as businesses in the rural areas of this council can seek support via the
Rural England Prosperity Fund)
There are only limited funds available and applications will be considered on a first come,
first served basis.
Examples of projects we could support
You may want to invest in plant, equipment or software to become more productive, more
efficient or increase the quality of your products or services
You may need new equipment to diversify and create new products or services
You may need new premises, or you may need to modify your existing premises to achieve
your growth plans.
We can also support training costs directly related to your project.
You cannot have already started your project and following grant support we expect that
your business would achieve at least one of the following outcomes:
Improved productivity
the introduction of new products and services,
the adopting of technologies which are new to your business
accessing new markets
increasing export capability
creation of new jobs
What the SGS cannot support
Unfortunately the following costs are not eligible for support:
Vehicles
Websites and digital support
To meet statutory obligations
Solar panels, EV chargers or LED lighting
Those that benefit an individual such as enhancement of personal premises
Routine costs such as advertising, wages, stock purchases, insurances etc
VAT, unless it is not recoverable.
Any costs incurred before a grant offer is made;
Items that are not directly needed to deliver the proposed work;
The replacement of items and consumables
Project costs funded through other grant schemes
The SGS can support most sectors, but the following are ineligible for support:
Banking and insurance
Agriculture, aquaculture, horticulture, forestry, fisheries and the primary production,
processing, and marketing of their products
Schools, nurseries, and childcare facilities.
Publicly funded bodies and statutory services, healthcare, and care homes.
Religious or political organisations
Energy generation and distribution
Coal, steel, and shipbuilding
Accommodation sector
Please note that any support for the accommodation sector would require the business to
secure a new product or service that will attract new customers to the area and is not
available locally. The support should also realise an increase in its star rating.
Holiday homes are not eligible for support.
The following types of accommodation projects are not eligible for support.
Decoration, repairs, and routine refurbishment
Extension of services, such as additional rooms or modification of existing rooms
Adaptations to meet statutory requirements.
Any projects that do not introduce a new service and will not increase the star rating
are not suitable for panel consideration.
How do I apply for funding?
Businesses wishing to apply for support should first contact the NCC Growth Hub on
Contact Us - New Anglia Growth Hub
Our expert Business Growth Advisers will work with you to develop your application.
Please note, the services of the Growth Hub are free and impartial.
Things you should know
There are limited funds available, and they are awarded on a first come first served
basis
The projects must be completed by 30/06/2025. and we require reassurance that the
Capital items can be paid for, delivered and installed by that date. That means the
project is completed and finalised to allow for a claim by 31/7/2025.
You must be an established SME and be able to provide accounts covering at least
two years.
We are unable to support ailing or insolvent businesses with a negative balance
sheet and financial checks are undertaken.
This discretionary grant is awarded by an independent panel and it may take up to 28
days for you to be notified of a decision
All planning permissions or other dependencies must be evidenced as in place at
time of application
If you are successful, you must not spend any money, order any items or commence
any project activity until you have formally accepted the grant offer.
To support your application, you will be required to provide routine business
documents such as quotes, business accounts and bank statements.
All projects will need to demonstrate value for money and there will be a requirement
to provide at least three quotes for each category of expenditure over £2,500, and one
quote per item for projects below £2,500.
You will receive advice and support as required during the application process.