Broadland Business Builder programme

The Business Builder programme is aimed at supporting businesses to invest and grow, and in turn help in the growth of the local economy. As a general rule it will not be available to support organisations that include: charities, Community Interest Companies or local clubs, however in cases where the organisation is employing staff and a business case can demonstrate an impact on wider growth, diversification or jobs we will consider support on a case by case basis.

The support will take the form of: business grants, access to specialist mentoring and up to two free courses at the Council's Carrowbreck House Training Centre (where in the view of the case officer the training will directly help support the business growth).

Through this scheme we are keen to encourage and support businesses to consider the green agenda in their business planning, and in this application for support. We also wish to understand more generally how your business is current embracing the green agenda, and we will ask for some information on the progress your business is making in this regard.

To complement this from August 2023 we have available the Rural Business Builder Capital Grant programme where businesses can submit an expression of interest to be considered for 50% funding towards a capital expenditure project, up to a maximum of £25k (subject to the availability of funds).

This project is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), and in the case of the rural capital grant through the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF). Applicants awarded a grant from either UKSPF or REPF funding will be expected to acknowledge the support and involvement of Business Builder and the UKSPF/REPF in any communications regarding their growth plans, as well as on all relevant marketing or promotional materials. This includes use of the Levelling Up logo.

Progress on your project will be monitored by the Business Builder team throughout – and possibly beyond - the period of its delivery. We reserve the right to visit any grant recipient to ensure the grant has been used for the purpose stated in the Offer Email, inspect records to show that costs have been evidenced and make a formal assessment of the impact of the project. Grant recipients are obliged to co-operate with this process.

To find out more detail of the support available, please select the link below relevant to your business or proposed business venture:

I am looking for advice and support to help me better understand what I need to do to be best prepared to progress a proposed new business start-up idea (not yet trading)

I am looking for support towards investment being made in a business that is already trading but which has been trading for less than two years

I am looking for support towards investment being made in a business that has been trading for 2 years or more (50% funded by grant)

I am looking for support towards a capital expenditure project costing more than £10k (50% funded up to a maximum that will generally be capped at a £25k grant award)

If you have any questions regarding the Business Builder Programme, please contact us on the details below.