SMALL and medium businesses across the Malvern Hills district can invest with the help of a new grant scheme.
The Malvern Hills Growth Fund, which is worth £500k over two years, has now launched and is offering businesses the chance to apply for grants ranging from £500 to £15,000 depending on the project and business type.
Recognising the crucial role business growth plays in our local economy, Malvern Hills District Council (MHDC) has created the fund to promote business growth in the manufacturing, rural, tourism and hospitality sectors.
The aim is to enable businesses to boost productivity, create jobs, and drive long-term economic prosperity.
The programme is open to micro, small, and medium-sized businesses, including Community Interest Companies, social enterprises, and commercially active not-for-profit organisations, based within the Malvern Hills district.
A wide variety of projects can be supported, provided they strengthen the business and generate local economic benefit, such as, investment in new facilities and specialist equipment.
Local business CCCampers Limited, based in Bayton, repair and manufacture campervans, caravans, and motorhomes.
They received more than £10,000 from MHDC to purchase a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine.
The investment has enabled the company to streamline their design and production process to save valuable time and grow their business.
Christian Kent, Director of CCCampers, said: “We are very thankful for the grant. The CNC machine has made us more efficient and has allowed us to carry out work in a more cost-effective way.
“When you try to do the process of securing a grant, it can be quite daunting, but we found it to be quite simple, and we received a lot of help from officers at Malvern Hills District Council.”
Coun Beverley Nielsen, portfolio holder for economy and tourism at MHDC, said: “We are so pleased to launch the Malvern Hills Growth Fund which will support businesses in the technology, engineering, rural, and tourism sectors. Small businesses play a vital role in the district’s economy, and we recognise the importance of helping them to grow to their full potential.”
All grants have a minimum 50 per cent match funding requirement.
Visit www.malvernhills.gov.uk/growthfund for more information and to apply.
