In the first month of the SNP Government’s new Strategic Framework Business Fund which started operating on 02 November, 91 businesses in North Ayrshire were awarded a total of £148,700 in funding.
The SNP Government allocated £650,000 to North Ayrshire Council (NAC) to administer the fund on its behalf, and applications are ongoing.
Any relevant business required to close by law or to significantly change its operations due to COVID-19 restrictions from 02 November 2020, may be eligible to apply for grant funding through the Strategic Framework Business Fund.
Businesses can apply for a:
· Temporary Closure Grant - £2,000 or £3,000 (depending on rateable value) if the business is required to close by law
· Business Restrictions Grant - £1,400 or £2,100 (depending on rateable value) if the business can remain open but is specifically required to modify its operations by law, for example having to close earlier than normal.
By 02 December, 25 North Ayrshire businesses had been awarded a Temporary Closure Grant with a total value of £50,000.
During the same period, a total of £98,700 had been awarded to support 66 local businesses from the Business Restrictions Grant.
Grants are paid every four weeks in arrears as long as restrictions last with the earliest claim date being 02 November 2020.
The funding is consistent with the SNP Government’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth and the Coronavirus (COVID-19): Fair Work Statement.
The Strategic Framework Business Fund is separate from and in addition to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Restrictions Fund to support employees and businesses impacted by local COVID-19 restrictions, from 09 October until 01 November. Applications for that funding closed on 03 November.
Kenneth Gibson MSP commented:
“Since the pandemic started, the SNP Government has put in place a variety of grants to help support local businesses, big and small.
“This rolling funding is designed to support business owners in a sustainable manner, as it is not a one-off and provides a source of income every month.
“I am pleased that there has been a 23% uptake of the budget by businesses in North Ayrshire so far, but I really urge anyone whose business has had to close due to COVID-19 to check if they are eligible to receive this funding and apply.
“The funding is dispersed by NAC on behalf of the SNP Government, so please visit their website dedicated to the Strategic Framework Business Fund here.”
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