Grant opportunities for Rural Businesses in Norfolk and Suffolk

Norfolk County Council in partnership with Suffolk County Council are offering a new business mentoring and funding support programme, DRIVE, for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). DRIVE provides local businesses with access to a grant to invest in new business development that leads to job creation.

You could receive:

• Up to 12 hours of guidance from a Business Mentor to evaluate your business plans and DRIVE application.
• A grant between £5,000 and £30,000 (up to 40% of total project costs).

Applicants will need to evidence that their business impacts positively on the rural economy as well as prove the grant funding will result in new job creation.

Eligible businesses range from sole traders, start-ups, private limited companies and social enterprises and charities and trusts.

Unfortunately, you will not be eligible for grant if your business primarily engages with:

• Fishery, aquaculture and forestry sectors
• Horticulture or primary production, processing and marketing of agricultural products.

However sometimes there are ways around this and ARC has previously provided advice on how not to miss out on grants. We are happy to advise.