All sorts of businesses are benefitting from Folkestone Community Works funding - and there is still time to make it work for you.
The programme, run by Folkestone & Hythe District Council, invests EU funding into specific areas and among the recipients are many small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
District businesses that have recently benefited include Amor Europe (international affairs charity), DB Fabrication (fabrication company), Spice Queen (consultancy/advisory company to the food industry) and Kai's Foods (food manufacturing company).
SMEs in the East, Central and Harbour wards of Folkestone with less than 250 employees and a turnover of under £42m can apply for grants between £1,000 and £10,000. All grants have to be match funded by the businesses.
The programme management team is looking for more applications that will support further economic development in the three Folkestone wards. Members of the team help applicants throughout the whole application process, including one-to-one support.
Funding recommendations are made by the Local Action Group, which comprises businesses and community leaders. Successful projects must be completed by 31 March 2023.
Cllr David Wimble, Cabinet Member for the District Economy, said: "It is wonderful to see such a diverse and interesting mix of businesses receive grants from Folkestone Community Works.
"They represent the best that the town has to offer and we urge others who meet the criteria to apply as soon as possible."
Leader Cllr David Monk added: "We have already helped businesses with projects worth more than £350,000. We have just seven months left to ensure that businesses in these Folkestone wards are able to benefit from the last of the funding."
More details about the FCW project be found here: https://folkestone.works/folkestone-community-works/
Anyone with a project to discuss, is asked to email: folkestonecommunityworks@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk
European Structural and Investment Funds
The project is receiving up to £2.5 million of funding from the England European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Department for Work and Pensions (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) are the Managing Authorities for European Regional Development Fund and European Social Fund funding through the Growth Programme, funds established by the European Union to help local areas stimulate their economic development. By investing in projects the funds will help to support innovation, businesses, skills and employment to improve local growth and create jobs. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.
Date published: 10 August 2022