Boosting investment

Our grant scheme is now paused while we assess the current applications. If we open for a second round of applications we will update the website with a new link. For information about the grant please see below or contact us for more information.

The money from our small grant scheme can be used for anything that enables your business to take a step towards an ambition to become ‘best in class’. That might be a piece of equipment, the cost of external advice or product development, or something that will make your processes greener and cleaner.

  • You could get a maximum grant of £5,000.
  • Grants can be up to 50% of project costs.
  • Capital and revenue projects are eligible.
  • All grants are paid in arrears.

Find out more below, The first call for applications closed on 14th April and we are currently processing and reviewing these. Please watch this space or sign up for our newsletter for more information. 

FAQs

Who can apply?

This scheme is open to any business or organisation registered in Cornwall or the Isles of Scilly connected with the production of food, drink, or other marine or agricultural/horticultural products.

How much are the grants, and do I have to find any of the money?

Projects can range from £2,500 to £10,000.

The maximum grant rate is 50%. You will therefore need to pay at least 50% of the cost of your project. This is known as match funding. 

Your contribution can be from any other source apart from any funds originating from the Shared Prosperity Fund.

You will need to demonstrate that your match funding has been secured/committed at the time of your application. 

Match funds need to be in money; this project does not have scope for any form of in-kind match.

What is the timescale?

This grant scheme is open for applications now and will close on Sunday 14th April 2024.

Applications will be assessed and successful applicants notified by Monday 7th May 2024.

Projects, and expenditure, must be completed by 30th November 2024 because all grant monies must be awarded by 31st January 2025. 

We expect the fund to be fully committed in the first round. If not, a second round of applications will be invited from 7th May 2024.

What can I buy?

You can apply for a grant to cover the cost of anything that enables your business to step things up a notch, for example by:

  • Increasing productivity
  • Raising standards
  • Reaching new markets
  • Developing new products
  • Bringing new skills and knowledge into the business
  • Overcoming hurdles
  • Becoming greener and cleaner
  • Becoming a better employer.

It could therefore be a piece of equipment but it could also cover the cost of obtaining external advice or expertise, or product development, for example.  If there is something holding your business back, and this relatively small cash injection could help overcome that, you are encouraged to apply.

Do I get the money up-front?

No, you need to be able to show that the expenditure has been completed before the grant can be released. Therefore you will need to finance the whole cost of the project initially and show that you are able to do that.

Can I apply for more than one grant?

No, a business can only apply one of these grants. However, if there are several things you need to purchase and the total expenditure is within the limit, you can include everything in one application. 

Will every applicant be successful?

This depends on how popular the scheme is. After the closing date, all applications will be reviewed to ensure they are eligible and assessed for value for money. Consideration will also be given to the amount of positive impact each project will have on the applicant’s business and on the local economy, in particular how well it aligns with the aspirations of Cornwall Council’s Good Growth Principles. We will also need to be assured that projects will be completed within the allocated timescale.   

If the scheme is oversubscribed, the lower scoring applicants will not be successful.

Applications will not be successful if the applicant has previously received public funds and this grant would exceed the "Minimum Financial Assistance" ("MFA") threshold, as set out in Section 36 of the Subsidy Control Act 2022. We therefore ask applicants to declare any public funding support they have received.

Where is the money coming from?

The Great Cornish Food development programme for the food, drink, farming and fishing sector is part financed by the Good Growth Fund for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, created through the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda and supported by the Shared Prosperity Fund.

Will I have to pay it back?

As the money is a grant and not a loan, you will not have to repay it unless you were found to have obtained the grant dishonestly or unlawfully.

Can I apply jointly with another business?

Each grant can only be paid to one business or organisation. However, if multiple businesses/organisations would like to collaborate on a joint project, their grants can be combined and used to contribute towards expenditure of a higher value than one grant would be able to cover. Where this demonstrates better value for money, this could increase the project’s chances of success. However, the match funding requirement still applies to each applicant.

Can I get any other help with my project?

The Great Cornish Food team may discover that multiple businesses or organisations would like to achieve the same or similar outcomes from their projects, with potential to pool their grants and obtain better value for money.  If this happens we will let relevant applicants know, However, rest assured that no details or information about any project would be shared with another party without consent. 

If you are looking for a specific type of expertise and are unable to find what you are looking for, the Great Cornish Food team may be able to help identify the skills and expertise you need and put you in touch with the right people.  The cost of using those sources of expertise can be included in your application.