SMALL and medium-sized businesses in Somerset can now apply for grant funding worth up to £6,000 to help them grow and develop.

The Business Growth Support Programme is the latest initiative to launch as part of Somerset’s work funded by Community Renewal Funding from the UK Government.

Mendip District Council, Sedgemoor District Council, Somerset County Council, Somerset West & Taunton Council and South Somerset District Council are working in partnership to support further economic recovery through this initiative.

The Business Growth Support Programme will support 30 small and medium sized businesses to boost the pace and scale of their development.

The initiative will prioritise businesses working in the Clean Growth, Aerospace, Digital, and Agri-Tech sectors, including their supply chains.

Grants will be awarded to businesses to allow them to access specialist and expert business support service providers to meet their own specific needs and have a transformative impact on the business.

Applications should focus on initiatives that boost the pace and scale of development, transformation, innovation, decarbonisation, or employment growth.

The grant is one of five programmes being delivered through the Unlocking Somerset Prosperity initiative designed to support businesses and entrepreneurs across the county.

There is only a short window to apply for these grants, with the call for applications closing on February 25.

Information on how to apply can be found here: Community Renewal Fund 2021 – 2022 (somerset.gov.uk) under the section on ‘Business Growth Support Programme’.