Business start up grant

3. Eligibility

The Carmarthenshire Business Start Up Grant is funded by UK Government via the Shared Prosperity 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 March 2023 and August 2024 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 however 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 and Pentre Awel (Llanelli Life Science and Well-being Village), Pendine, Llanelli YMCA, Llandeilo Market Hall, Cross Hands East strategic employment site

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

All expenditure associated to the grant must be purchased and claimed within 4 months of the date of approval letter or no later than 30th September 2024, whichever is earliest. No extensions will be given for claims to be submitted.

The proposed business and associated jobs must be created within 6 months of the final payment of grant or 30th November 2024 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.