Business Grants

Grants for Business Investment 

Grants for Business Investment (GBI) is a national government scheme available to businesses.  The grants are for investment in equipment and technology to assist business expansion in niche, fast growing or export markets.  The scheme is managed by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA).  There are strict criteria for grants and there is no automatic entitlement.

Shepway businesses have been successful in receiving grants under Tier 3, a grant available to all eligible small and medium sized businesses across Kent.  Small businesses can access up to 20% of eligible costs to a maximum of £2,500,000.  Medium sized businesses can access up to 50% of the small business grant.

For more information or a free appointment with the SEGAS specialist Grant Advisor, please contact

Regeneration and Economic Development
Shepway District Council
Civic Centre
Castle Hill Avenue
Folkestone
Kent    CT20 2QY

 +44 (0) 1303 853648 or (0) 1303 853375
 +44 (0) 1303 853502

Email:  regeneration@shepway.gov.uk

There are also a series of other grant opportunities for business through the following links:

Grant for Research and Development

This is a government grant managed by SEEDA.  It is designed to help new businesses, and small and medium sized enterprises carry out research and development on technologically innovative products and services.

Four types of project can be awarded grants.  Each has different levels of grant available ranging from £5,000 to £250,000.

More information, including details of how to apply, is available on the SEEDA website.

Finance South East

Finance South East provides access to finance and support for growth-orientated businesses.  They provide:

-  advice on funding strategy

-  introductions to funding sources

-  mentoring and investor networks

-  direct investment of over £5 million each year.

There are a variety of funds available, including an accelerator fund and a commercialisation fund.

The Transition Fund provides loans of up to £150,000 for developing small and medium sized enterprises that are facing liquidity issues.  The fund is financed by SEEDA and managed by Finance South East.

Find out more on the Finance South East website.

The RDPE Leader Programme

The RDPE Leader Programme is a European Union rural funding approach, with grant money available to rural businesses and communities from late 2008 until 2013.

The Kent Downs and Marshes group is assisted by Kent County Council and covers Medway, Swale, Maidstone, Ashford, Canterbury, Shepway and Dover.

Leader can provide grants of up to £50,000 depending upon the project, although march funding will be required in many cases.  This money can be provided towards capital or revenue costs and is available to social and community groups, and to rural and land-based businesses.  Projects seeking funding must be able to fit with the overall strategies of the Local Action Groups.  Broadly, these are:

-  improve the competitiveness and sustainability of Kent's land-based sectors through diversification, innovation and adding value to products;

-  foster sustainable rural tourism and related businesses;

-  assist rural communities and businesses in managing change and combating rural deprivaton.

For more detailed information, contact David Stokes - (01622) 227000 - david.stokes@kent.gov.uk

Small Business Rate Relief

The government introduced small business rate relief from 1 April 2005, where qualifying occupiers can receive a reduction in charge.

Only occupied properties with a rateable value less than £15,000 can be considered for rate relief.  The extent of rate relief depends on the precise rateable value, but for those with a rateable value of less than £5,000 50% rate relief is available.

Many small businesses are losing out because they do not know they are eligible for rate relief.  Don't miss out, go to our Small Business Rate Relief page.