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

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.