Swale Borough Council - Rural Swale Small Business Grants

A new pot of funding to support rural communities and businesses has been launched by Swale Borough Council.

Eligible organisations are being encouraged to put forward small capital investment projects that support growth and carbon reduction measures, or which help develop the local visitor economy.

Cllr Monique Bonney, chair of the council’s regeneration and property committee, said:

“We want to support schemes that improve the environmental and financial sustainability of rural businesses through carbon reduction measures or, that help safeguard or increase rural employment.

“These grants can help give a boost to our distinctive rural communities, offering new funding opportunities for projects that specifically address rural needs.”

Using money from the Rural England Prosperity Fund, the Rural Swale Small Business Grants scheme is focussed on projects in the wards:

• Bobbing, Iwade & Lower Halstow

• Borden & Grove Park 

• Boughton and Courtenay
• East Downs
• Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch
• Sheppey Central
• Sheppey East
• Teynham and Lynsted
• West Downs

Projects outside these areas may be considered if they can show they will support local rural businesses.

Examples of schemes that can apply for funding of between £1,000 and £7,000 include:

• Investments which support carbon reduction and support the future financial and environmental sustainability of the business.
• Improving or creating business or visitor accommodation, venues and facilities that support the rural economy.
• Purchasing new equipment that supports business growth and productivity, for non-farmer owned businesses.

Applications for the Rural Swale Small Business Grants are open now with a closing date of 13th October 2023.

To find out more about the scheme, and to apply for a grant, visit: www.swale.gov.uk/rssbg

Swale Borough Council