Ambitious Surrey businesses can now apply to Surrey County Council for a share of £1.7 million to accelerate growth, boost innovation and create jobs.
Round two of the Surrey Economic Growth Fund is now open to small and medium businesses who are ready to bring their big ideas to life.
The Business Growth Grants offer match-funding of between £10,000 and £75,000 towards buying new equipment or technology, developing new products or services, expanding operations or facilities, or investing in staff training and upskilling.
The key thing is that businesses demonstrate how they will use the investment to deliver real benefits to the people, places and economy of Surrey.
Applications can be made via the council’s Business Surrey website by midnight on 16 November. All projects need to be complete by the end of March.
Councillor Matt Furniss, the council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth, said: “Following the success of round one, I’m delighted to launch round two of the Surrey Economic Growth Fund. The exceptional quality of applications we received first time around has demonstrated just how much ambition and innovation exists within Surrey’s business community.
“We’re committed to maintaining the high standards that made round one such a success. Every application will be rigorously assessed to ensure we’re backing businesses that will deliver genuine economic growth, create quality jobs, and produce tangible benefits for Surrey’s communities.
“Surrey already contributes £50 billion to the UK economy each year and strategic investments like this will support sustainable growth while delivering benefits to our people and places.”
The Surrey Economic Growth Fund launched this year. It is made up of a range of public and investment streams, including government UK Shared Prosperity Funding.
The idea is to make it as simple and easy-as-possible for those looking to drive growth to apply for funding.
Round one saw dozens of organisations receive £2 million in funding, creating scores of new jobs, supporting hundreds of employment opportunities and boosting the economy by up to £9 million.
Among those to benefit include Dorking Distillery which is using a five-figure grant to create a new custom-made distillery at Denbies Wine Estate.
The funding is allowing the team to repurpose and convert two fabricated sea containers into a facility to produce artisan gin. Plans are already in the pipeline for more products.
Serena Billinghurst, co-founder of Dorking Distillery, said: “This grant has been the life changing boost that we needed to get us over the line with creating the distillery.”
On the future of the business, Serena added: “We would like to host tasting events from the distillery and start organising larger music events in the future. That is a key part of where we see our growth. The events are an exciting opportunity for us to create more jobs in the county and put Surrey on the map as the place to go for artisan gin tasting.”
For more details, including detailed criteria, visit www.businesssurrey.co.uk/economic-growth-fund.
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