MID ULSTER RURAL BUSINESS GRANTS

Do you operate a micro business? (i.e. you employ less than 10 employees)

Is your business based in a rural area?  (a rural area is defined as an area with a population of less than 5,000 residents and outside designated urban areas of Magherafelt, Dungannon, Cookstown and Coalisland). 

If so you may be eligible to apply for funding under the Rural Business Development Grants Scheme. This Scheme aims to support the sustainability, survival and development of micro rural businesses across Northern Ireland by providing a small capital grant for the business.  Funding for this Scheme is provided through the Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation (TRPSI) Programme funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. Capital grants are offered at 50% of eligible expenditure up to a maximum of £4,999.  The minimum grant level that can be applied for is £500, which means the minimum total project cost must be £1,000.  The maximum total project costs must not exceed £20,000. 

Eligible expenditure under this scheme includes computer equipment and software, E-commerce websites, new equipment/ machinery, capital costs to facilitate health and safety changes to working practices and alterations to premises needed due to COVID 19 restrictions or building works to bring an area of a building back into economic use or improve/change the use of the building.

Further detail on eligibility is available within the Scheme guidance notes by visiting www.midulstercouncil.org/businessgrowth

Please read the guidance notes carefully to ensure you can meet the eligibility criteria set for the Scheme before applying. The guidance notes also provide instruction on completing your application and the supporting information you need to submit.   

Application forms will be available for download via the link above from 3rd August when the scheme opens.  The closing date for completed applications will be 12noon on 11th September. Late applications will not be considered. 

This is a competitive process with limited funding available therefore it may not be possible to fund all applications. Grants awarded will be determined on the base of merit.

For further information contact a member of the RDP Admin Unit on: Telephone: 03000 132 132 (Ext 22508 or 22506) or Email: rdp@midulstercouncil.org

Ardean ¦ Funding

COVID-19 Digital Business Toolkit

As part of Mid Ulster Council's on-going response to the COVID-19 crisis to help business reconnect with their customers as sectors start to reopen, Mid Ulster Council have created a range of useful downloadable resources which will help you in the coming days and weeks.

You can download helpful checklists, view answers to frequently asked questions and a wide range of display items covering hygiene measures, social distancing, payment processes and more to use in your premises.

View the digital resource by clicking here

Ardean ¦ Business Planning

Invest NI Tutorials To Assist Businesses Meet The Challenges Of The Covid-19 Crisis

Invest NI has produced a series of online Tutorials to help businesses set their direction and plan effectively to meet the challenges of the COVID-19 crisis:

https://www.investni.com/support-business/improve-skills/video-tutorials/setting-your-business-direction

Ardean ¦ Business Planning