Business start up grant

3. Eligibility

The Carmarthenshire Business Start Up Grant is funded by UK Government via the Local Growth Fund and delivered by Carmarthenshire County Council and as such is only available for application to groups or individuals with viable new businesses proposals to be located within Carmarthenshire and will be operating within or servicing one of the eligible sectors. The grant is only available for prestart businesses (not yet trading) 

The grant will be open for application between the 11^th of May 2026 and the 31^st of October 2026 or until the fund is fully allocated.

Support is aimed primarily at new businesses to be operating in or servicing the following growth and foundation sectors:

·        Advanced Materials and Manufacturing

·        Construction

·        Creative Industries

·        Energy and Environment

·        Finance and Professional Services

·        Information Technology and Telecoms

·        Life Sciences

·        Food & Drink

·        Tourism

·        Retail

·        Care

Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis subject to their potential contribution and value to the local economy, e.g. creation of jobs in the county’s primary and secondary town centres, rural areas, link to key strategic projects, such Yr Egin, Parc Gelli Werdd and Pentre Awel, Llanelli YMCA, Llandeilo Market Hall, Cross Hands East strategic employment site, etc

** Please note that applications from start up single unit self catering accommodation providers must create new jobs other than the business owners as a result of the grant support.

If applications are made by owners of start up accommodation with multiple units (3 or more) or offer services such as bed and breakfast and /or offer activities as part of the tourism package, we will consider the creation of additional jobs, including the business owner(s). These applications will be considered on a case by case basis.

The following sectors are ineligible for support: - primary agriculture production, forestry, aquaculture, fishing and statutory services, e.g., Primary health and education.

The Fund is available for SMEs of all sizes which aim to implement their start up and growth plans and must result in the creation of new jobs. Applicants must therefore demonstrate their growth plans (and provide evidence where applicable) within the application process.

 

All expenditure associated to the grant must be purchased and claimed within 4 months of the date of grant agreement or no later than the 31^st of January 2027, whichever is earliest. 

The proposed business and associated jobs must be created within 6 months of the final payment of grant or the 28^th of February 2027 whichever is the earliest. Monitoring of the business and jobs created will take place and evidence will be required. Failure to achieve the committed outputs could result in the claw back of grant funds.

Upon giving reasonable notice, Carmarthenshire County Council reserves the right to monitor and maintain evidence at 1, 3 and 5 years from the receipt of a grant application.

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