RURAL MICRO BUSINESS GRANT SCHEME RURAL MICRO BUSINESS
RURAL MICRO BUSINESS GRANT SCHEME
RURAL MICRO BUSINESS GRANT SCHEME Please note that this presentation is only a brief overview of the funding scheme. We advise all applicants to thoroughly read the guidance notes provided along with the application. You are also welcome to contact a business officer to ascertain if your business or scheme would be eligible for this grant before completing an application.
RURAL MICRO BUSINESS GRANT SCHEME BACKGROUND TO SCHEME Funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) This programme is part of the Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Programme It is being delivered across all of Northern Ireland by Local Councils however you must submit an application to the Council your business is based in
RURAL MICRO BUSINESS GRANT SCHEME The Scheme is aimed at providing a Capital grant to Rural Micro Businesses to help: §Business Survival and Recovery §Business Sustainability §Business Development and Growth
What Does Rural Mean? § Your business must be based in an area with less that 5000 residents § Includes: villages and hamlets – this also includes parts of Culmore, Drumahoe, Nixons Corner, Coshquinn, Newbuilding's and Strathfoyle. Please contact a Council officer to determine your in an eligible area before completing an application. § Excludes: Derry City and Strabane Town
Is my business Eligible? § You must be an existing business – private or social enterprise § You must not be a farmer seeking support for an agriculture business § Your business must have less than 10 full-time employees § You can demonstrate you are an existing business by providing: § A self-assessment number or Limited Company details; § Sales turnover details; and § A copy of a recent bank statement
What can we fund? § Capital items – for example equipment, machinery, computers, e-commerce websites (if you are considering an e-commerce website please contact a Council Officer as we have another programme that could assist with this) § Health and safety changes to working practices and alterations to premises needed due to COVID 19 restrictions e. g. screens, free standing sanitization stations, signage, external modifications to premises to allow for social distancing, collection/delivery points etc § Building works – where you own or have a 5 year lease on the commercial property. Please note that for any project involving building works or external modifications, full planning permission must be in place at the time of applications, and building control approval in place before grant payment.
What we cannot fund § Business running costs – such as staff costs, rent, insurance, stock § Resource items – including marketing, training, information websites (which don’t have online trading capabilities) § General refurbishment or building maintenance § Motorised vehicles, including vans, fork lifts
What we cannot fund (cont’d) § Second hand or refurbished equipment § Consumable items such as masks, sanitizer, gloves, Hi-Viz vests, uniforms, printer ink § New build accommodation and provision of additional bed space for existing providers § Items you have already purchased Please note that this list is not exhaustive so we advise you to speak to your Council Officer prior to completing an application.
How much funding is available? § Up to £ 4, 999 at a maximum 50% grant rate. This means that whatever your project costs, you will have to provide 50% of the total cost up to a maximum of £ 4, 999. § Minimum grant award £ 500 § Your project must cost between £ 1, 000 - £ 20, 000 (net if VAT registered / gross if not)
How to Apply § The application form and accompanying guidelines is available to download online via https: //www. derrystrabane. com/DAERA-developmentgrant or by contacting Catherine. Collins@derrystrabane. com § Applications must be returned via email before 12 noon on 11 September 2020. We endeavor to provide email receipt of application within 24 hours of submission however if you are submitting on the day of closing we advise to follow up with a telephone call to the officer above to confirm that your application has been received. Contact telephone number 02871 253 ext. 4265
What do I need to submit with my application? Recent Bank Statement from account used by the business § § 2 written quotes/price checks from different suppliers. The quotes must be like-for-like with a detailed specification for each item § Quotes from family/extended family MUST be declared in advance and additional quote provided § For building works, copies of relevant approvals e. g. planning permission must be provided § Projects involving building works also need to show ownership or 5 year lease in place. Please consult pages 6 -8 of the guidelines for full procurement and submission requirements.
Application Form Tips § Complete all sections – otherwise your application will be ineligible. Pages 9 -12 on the guidance notes will guide you on how to answer the questions. § Read the guidelines and scoring criteria prior to completing the questions. Provide as much detail relevant to the question as this is what your application is assessed on. § Quantify any targets. § Include any relevant market research, trends or customer feedback to support your scheme.
How Applications are Assessed § Initial eligibility check on application and documentation. If your application passes initial eligibility it will pass to stage 2 assessment § Assessment against set criteria § Applications scoring over 65% will be recommended for funding § If the scheme is oversubscribed, projects will be ranked according to score and highest scoring projects offered funding first § If successful, an electronic Letter of Offer will be issued by Council (Anticipated November 2020) § Successful applicants must attend a letter of Offer workshop (Nov 2020)
Assessment Criteria Weight Max Score Project Need: Clear and concise evidence of the need 8 40 Economic Impact: Clear and realistic outcomes set for the project 6 30 Experience / Management Strength: Ability, skills and experience of the business to deliver the project 4 20 Innovation: Innovation in the marketplace or in business practices 2 10 TOTAL Please read section 3. 3 on the guidance notes for full assessment criteria 100
How are grants paid? § Funding is retrospective – we cannot pay the grant aid in advance § You must complete, pay all invoice, and these must be cleared through your bank account by 26 th February 2021 (cash and hire purchase are not accepted) § Claims must be submitted by 26 th March 2021 along with invoices/receipts, bank statements § Payments will be made directly by DAERA through BACs
Finally…. § Closing date Friday 11 th September 2020 at 12 noon § Return application form, specifications, quotes, bank statements, proof 5 year lease (if required) or planning permission (if required) to Catherine. Collins@derrystrabane. com § Queries – email Catherine. Collins@derrystrabane. com or telephone 02871 253 ext 4265 or Mobile: 07525708399
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