Business grants aim to boost local economy

Published Tuesday, 26th October 2021

A £100,000 funding pot has been created to support business investment and growth in Hartlepool and boost the local economy, using money allocated by the Government.

Hartlepool Borough Council intends to provide one-off grants to businesses operating across a range of sectors in the town, including retail and manufacturing that were adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

It is proposing to provide grants of up to £10,000 on at least a 50% match-funding basis.

The money is the remaining unallocated part of a much larger Government grant given to the Council to support local businesses during the pandemic.

Businesses will be able to use the grants in a variety of ways, including supporting capital investment in plant and equipment, making physical improvements to premises and funding job creation/retention initiatives.

Councillor Paddy Brown, Chair of the Economic Growth and Regeneration Committee, said: “The Council has been committed to supporting local businesses throughout the pandemic and we have successfully distributed some £52.5 million of Government money to enable businesses to deal with the impact of Covid-19 and help them get back up and running following the easing of lockdown measures.

“We intend to use this unallocated sum to assist businesses with their investment and growth plans to help build the local economy back up.

“I would encourage businesses to contact the Council’s Economic Growth Team which will be happy to provide more information about the support available, the eligibility criteria and how to apply.”

The Economic Growth Team can be contacted at business.support@hartlepool.gov.uk or on (01429) 867677. Further information is also available at https://www.investinhartlepool.co.uk/business-grants-financial-assistance/