Grant Funding Opportunities For Perth & Kinross Based Businesses

There is no denying that business is operating in challenging economic times; post Covid-19, Brexit and the war in Ukraine has placed an unparalleled series of pressures on companies of all sizes and with that, an inflation increase of 9% (figure as at May 18th 2022).

When considering business finances, therefore, it is more important than ever to ensure all avenues have been explored and a robust strategy focused on sustainability, growth, and futureproofing is in place.

There are currently three key funding opportunities available via Perth and Kinross Council and other government agencies at the moment.

  • Green Recovery Capital Development Fund
  • Beyond Scotland Market Development Grant
  • Adapt your Property Fund

For specialist pots or larger funds you may find Scottish Enterprise offers additional opportunities; in Scotland businesses can look to Find Business Support for the most up to date information.

Woman wearing black top holding a silver laptop.
Grant Funding Opportunities For Perth & Kinross Based Businesses.

“It is more important than ever to ensure all financial avenues have been explored and a robust strategy focused on sustainability and growth is in place”

Reasons for Seeking Business Funding

A British Business Bank Survey published in 2019 found that 44% of SME businesses sought some form of external funding in the previous three years. Whilst the landscape has shifted significantly since then, the key reasons behind funding applications remain the same;

  • Capital For Business Improvements
  • Growth Funding
  • Asset Purchase

Good cash flow is essential to a small start-up business and while most directors will use their own funds to start the business, external funding can bring added value at this crucial stage. Grants can be used for everything from marketing to purchasing equipment and allow businesses to access funds that many traditional finance providers might consider a risk.

Growing your business and increasing sales often requires you to purchase assets such as new machinery or vehicles. While you may have enough cash to cover working capital expenses for your company, you may look to funding opportunities to cover the purchase of new assets to enable your business to expand or to improve your carbon footprint or efficiencies.

If you’re established and seek to grow your business – either by increasing sales, improving efficiencies, expanding your range of products or services, moving into new premises, or expanding internationally – a grant for growth finance can help.

Green Recovery Capital Development Fund

Open to companies of all sizes and stages looking to grow their business through capital investment with an emphasis on reducing their carbon footprint.

The fund provides specific support to businesses, enabling them to invest in capital projects to implement new systems, new ways of working, new machinery, and investment in green technology. Projects leading to a low carbon future will be assessed most favourably for this fund.

Grants are available up to £25,000 covering up to 50% of eligible costs. Project must be of minimum £10,000, (this equates to a minimum £5,000 match from the business).

This fund is available for Capital expenditures. IE to acquire, upgrade, and maintain physical assets such as property, plants, buildings, technology, or equipment (excluding vehicles). In order to satisfy the criteria, making capital expenditures on fixed assets should increase the scope of the operations or add economic benefit to the operation.

Find out more and apply.

Beyond Scotland Market Development Grant

Grants of up to £3,000, covering up to 50% of eligible costs, are available for projects which will enable businesses to expand their market overseas and into other parts of the UK (excluding Scotland).  This is a competitive grant and projects are assessed on their potential impact.  The grant is flexible and eligible costs could include:

  • Exhibition and trade show attendance and exhibition stand costs.
  • Transport and accommodation (where these are directly related to a specific business event or initiative).
  • Marketing activities and brand development.
  • New product development.
  • Consultancy services

Contact businessdevelopment@pkc.gov.uk for more details.

The Beyond Scotland grant helped us to improve our digital reach and increase sales.”

Diane Brown, Provender Brown

Adapt your Property Fund

As part of its on-going focus to improve the appeal, performance and economic success of city and town centres, this fund has been set up to assist business and property owners to upgrade and re-purpose vacant commercial properties in order to bring them back into use as commercial, community or residential premises to help implement sustainable economic growth.

Property owners or tenants can apply for grant assistance of up to 50% of the cost of the project to a maximum of £75,000.

Priority for support will be given to projects which demonstrate how they will enhance / contribute to:

  • Local economy and business,
  • Local placemaking and townscape, and
  • Deliver wider community benefit.

Find out more and apply

Vacant Property Feasibility Grant

As part of its on-going focus to encourage vacant properties to be brought back into use for economic and socially productive purposes, this fund has been set up to assist business and property owners, and prospective owners and tenants to undertake feasibility studies to develop sustainable future uses which re-purpose vacant commercial properties.

Grants of up to £5000 are available or 50% of the feasibility costs, which ever is the lesser.

Find out more and apply