A call is going out to small to medium-sized business in the St Ives Town Deal area who are looking for investment to expand or diversify.
Following two successful rounds of the Town Deal Enterprise Grant Scheme, which have seen more than £1 million allocated to local projects and more than 50 jobs created or safeguarded, a limited amount of additional funding has become available to support a third round of grants for capital projects, such as building works or new equipment.
Round three, which is being administered through Cornwall Council’s Economy and Skills Service, will officially open for applications on 1st and then remain open for six weeks until 15th November.
The Enterprise Grant scheme is one of nine projects which are being funded by the government as part of the £19.9m Town Deal for St Ives. The funding aims to boost the local economy and support sustainable regeneration, through projects that that focus on urban regeneration, planning and land use, connectivity, skills, and enterprise infrastructure.
Cornwall Council is the lead authority for Cornwall town deals and supports the governance role of the St Ives Town Deal Board and administrates the fund.
Projects already awarded funding from the first two rounds range from small grants to purchase equipment, improve shopfronts and remodel existing cafés and restaurants, to larger schemes to create new workspaces, expand premises and renovate derelict buildings. A full list of the approved projects is available on the St Ives Town Deal website.
Grants of up to 75% will be available in this latest round of the scheme, with priority given to projects which :
- Enhance or improve services provided to local residents, including retail businesses which are open all year round
- Widen the economic base of the town and reduce the reliance on tourism and hospitality
- Improve the exterior of premises through the use of designs which are sympathetic to the overall character of the town and surrounding properties, thereby enhancing the appearance of the town and helping to increase footfall and boost the local economy
- Improve the interior of buildings and increase turnover by making premises more welcoming and improving customer flow.
“We expect that this will be a very competitive round,” said Elizabeth Gilbert, Town Deal co-ordinator. “We are providing a detailed guidance pack to help people interested in applying for grants, and I will also be offering in-person appointments to support applicants through the process.”
“It’s been great to see over £1m allocated to 43 live projects in St Ives through the Enterprise Grant Scheme,” said Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for the economy. “The combined impact of this investment is increasing vibrancy and expanding the offering in the town.
“We hope to see further quality projects supported through this round and I would encourage anyone who has a project in mind to get in touch with the team.”
For more details of the grants and how to apply, click here.
