Business growth grant

7. Application and Assessment

All completed applications will be considered on first come first served basis until the total fund is fully allocated.

Each application will be assessed against the outputs and outcomes of the grant project, i.e. 

• Value for money / grant per job created ratio and private sector investment levered by the grant as well as the viability of the business plan to support the start-up and sustainable growth plans.
• Jobs created
• Jobs safeguarded
• Number of businesses adopting new or improved products or services
• Number of businesses engaged in new markets
• Number of businesses adopting new to the firm technologies or processes
• Number of businesses with improved productivity
• Number of R&D active businesses
• Increase in number of innovation active SME’s
• Number of new products to market

The Local Authority has committed to become net zero carbon by 2030 and is keen to promote sustainable business practices through its funding programmes. As part of the application, you will be asked how your business demonstrates a commitment to sustainable development and sign up to the Welsh Government Green Growth Pledge. https://businesswales.gov.wales/green-growth-pledge-0

Initially an applicant is required to submit an expression of interest https://www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/media/1231417/spf-bgg-eoi-english.docx

The expression of interest will then be assessed for eligibility purposes and if approved you will be invited to submit a full application.

Each applicant will then need to complete and return the following:

• Fully completed Application Form,
• At least 2 full years historical accounts and recent management accounts, if available. If a business has not been trading for 2 years, management accounts and or income & expenditure summary must be provided from the trading start date up to application date
• 2 years projected forecasts (cash flow and/or profit and loss)
• Formal written quotes for the items included in the application (please see below for procurement guidance)
• Welsh Language Standards- please see further guidance below
• Environmental / Sustainability Policy – Applicants will need to outline the ways in which the business is committed to reducing its impact on the environment.

It should be noted that the Carmarthenshire Business Growth and Recovery Fund is a discretionary grant and is subject to approval by Carmarthenshire County Council. Each application will be assessed by a panel which meets monthly to consider applications.

Please Note - Applications will need to be proceedable before they are presented to panel so essential requirements such as match funding, planning permission (where applicable), etc. must be confirmed before the grant team will prepare the application for consideration at panel. Exceptions to these conditions will be given consideration on a case by case basis.