NCC - BGF - FAQ – Final v4

NCC – BUSINESS GROWTH FUND GRANT

To support business growth, diversification and research and development across

Norfolk

• Are you a growing business that wants to invest in capital equipment to become

more productive?

• Do you want to create new products and move into new markets?

• Do you need to invest in new technology to become more competitive?

• Do you want help towards the cost of designing, building, and testing of prototypes of

new or better products?

• Do you need to invest in expert knowledge to improve your business’ products,

services, or processes?

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The NCC Business Growth Fund (BGF) Scheme is to part-fund projects to help SMEs invest

in business growth projects, or research and development projects to develop new and

better products that will help them become more productive and grow.

This is a very limited discretionary fund and grant awards will only be considered for

businesses that have not received any grant support within the last three years for a wider

distribution of public funds.

We are looking for projects that will have a positive impact on Norfolk, increase productivity

and create above average salary jobs.

The grant can fund up to 30% of supported project costs.

The minimum grant is £5,000 and the maximum grant is £50,000.

This means the minimum project size is £16,667.

Expected outcomes

Following the completion of a grant supported project, we would expect to see at least one of

the following outcomes:

• increased turnover

• improved productivity

• creation of new job roles

• diversification into new markets, products, or services

• enhancement of existing products or services

• introduction of new products and services to your business

• introduction of new products and services to the market

• the adoption of technologies which are new to the firm

• increasing export capability

NCC - BGF - FAQ – Final v4

Examples of suitable projects

• You may want to invest in plant, equipment, or software to become more productive,

more efficient, or increase the quality of your products or services

• You may need new equipment to diversify and create new products or services

• You may need new premises, or you may need to modify your existing premises to

achieve your growth plans

• Does the business need to become more competitive by improving existing products,

or creating new products or services? This may include designing, developing, and

testing prototypes. The grant can part-fund external specialist consultancy and other

innovation resources to help you take your ideas to market

• You may want to invest in equipment that will significantly improve production or

delivery methods using novel or innovative digital technologies and solutions

• Projects must demonstrate decarbonisation and sustainability themes

Location of support

You must be classed as a micro, small or medium enterprise (SME) and your project must

be located within the boundaries of Norfolk County Council.

The following costs are not supported through this scheme:

• VAT, unless it is not recoverable

• Any costs incurred before a grant offer is made

• Items that are not directly required to deliver the proposed project

• Vehicles of any description

• Assets to be used for hire or reward

• Fossil fuel powered plant and equipment

• Creation and maintenance of websites

• CRM, ERP, WMS or other back-office systems

• Investments to meet legal or statutory obligations/requirements

• Solar panels, insulation of premises, EV chargers, LED lighting, battery energy

storage systems, heating systems or other purely energy efficiency initiatives

• Those that benefit a private individual such as enhancement of personal premises or

assets

• Routine costs such as marketing, advertising, wages, stock purchases, insurances

etc

• The routine replacement of capital equipment. This would include upgrade of IT

hardware

• Project costs funded through other grant schemes

• Travel, accommodation, and subsistence costs

• Where the beneficiary will not retain the supported assets or premises for more than

three years from date of payment of the grant

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Priority sectors

Priority will be given to businesses in rural and coastal locations. The priority sectors for

support are clean energy, agri-food, agri-tech, advanced manufacturing and engineering,

digital technology, financial services and insurance

The following sectors are ineligible for support:

• Publicly funded bodies and statutory services, healthcare, schools, nurseries,

childcare facilities, and care homes

• Religious or political organisations

• Energy generation and distribution

• Coal, steel, and shipbuilding

Accommodation sector

Please note that any support for the accommodation sector would require the business to

secure a new product or service that will attract new customers to the area and is not

already available locally. Holiday homes are not eligible for support.

How do I apply for funding?

Businesses wishing to apply for support should first contact the NCC Growth Hub on

Our Business Growth Advisers will work with you to develop your application.

Please note, the services of the Growth Hub are free and impartial.

Things you should know

• There are limited funds available, and they are awarded on a first come first served

basis

• The fund will run from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 and all projects are expected to

be fully completed and claimed for by this end date

• You are expected to be an established SME and be able to provide accounts

covering at least two years

• You will need to evidence your need for the grant to complete the grant

• We are unable to support ailing or insolvent businesses with a negative balance

sheet, and financial checks are undertaken

• This discretionary grant is awarded by an independent panel, and after presentation

to the panel, it may take up to 28 days for you to be notified of a decision

• The panel’s decision is final

• All planning permissions, business use, landlord’s permission or other dependencies

must be evidenced as in place at time of application

• If you are successful, you must not spend any money, order any items, or commence

any project activity until you have formally accepted the grant offer

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• If approved, you must make your investment directly from your business bank

account to the supplier. The use of cash, hire-purchase, asset finance, mortgage or

credit cards to make the investment is not acceptable for this scheme

• To support your application, you will be required to provide routine business

documents such as quotes, business accounts and bank statements

• All projects will need to demonstrate value for money and there will be a requirement

to provide a minimum of three quotes for each contract

• Support will be delivered through the UK Subsidy Control Streamlined Routes

wherever possible. Alternatively, we may use the Minimal Financial Assistance (MFA).

• You will receive advice and support as required during the application process