Forth Valley businesses set to benefit from new grant funding

A new growth grant has opened to support local businesses across Falkirk, Clackmannanshire, and Stirling.

Businesses can now apply for grants up to £25,000 to help with growth, job creation, and investment.

A new funding grant is set to benefit local businesses throughout the Forth Valley region. Grants of up to £25,000 will be available for eligible businesses in Falkirk, Stirling, and Clackmannanshire. (Scotdrone Aerial Images).

placeholder image — A new funding grant is set to benefit local businesses throughout the Forth Valley region. Grants of up to £25,000 will be available for eligible businesses in Falkirk, Stirling, and Clackmannanshire. (Scotdrone Aerial Images).

The new Forth Valley Growth Fund (FVGG) was created to help local businesses invest in capital projects and aims to support expansion and increase the economic activity across the region.

Grants range from £1000 to £25,000. For grants of £5000 and below, funding can cover up to 75 per cent of the eligible costs. Larger projects will see grants cover up to 50 per cent of eligible costs.

Investment areas the fund could support include accessibility adaptations, commercial kitchen and catering equipment, improvements and refurbishments to premises, plant and machinery, manufacturing and production equipment, energy efficiency measures, warehouse and storage systems, and renewable energy technologies.

To be eligible for the grant, businesses have to be located within Falkirk, Clackmannanshire, or Stirling, have been trading for a minimum of 12 months, and have at least one full-time member of staff employed.

FVGG is funded through the UK government’s Local Growth Fund, which awarded £9.8 million to Forth Valley.

Councillor Paul Garner, acting leader of Falkirk Council, said: “Local businesses create jobs, support communities and help drive our economy.

“This grant offers practical help for firms ready to invest in new equipment and improve their premises.

“By working with our partners across Forth Valley, we can help businesses turn their plans into growth and create new opportunities for local people.”