County offers grants to boost companies' digital profile

Firms looking for a digital makeover can now take advantage of a business grant.

Denbighshire County Council’s Business Development Grant scheme has awarded more than £71,000 to 17 Denbighshire firms since April last year.

The grant has been expanded to offer more financial support for businesses looking to take advantage of digital technology to help stimulate local innovation, improve competitiveness and help reach new markets.

This includes opportunities for all types of businesses, including firms looking to take bookings online and send automatic appointment reminders by text or email or replacing their old telephone systems with cheaper internet based systems.

Cllr Hugh Evans OBE, leader of Denbighshire, said: “Even the smallest business can benefit from this grant.

“Websites have well established benefits for trade and in 2017 more funding is available for local businesses to create their own high quality online presence and even venture into selling online.

“I would encourage eligible businesses in the county to apply for a grant as soon as possible as the funding is awarded on a first come, first served basis.”

Up to 75 per cent of costs may be funded and proposals will have to demonstrate how the investment will develop the business.

The scheme, which forms part of the Council’s Economic and Community Ambition Programme, also offers funding to new and existing businesses to create employment, improve business competitiveness and create a vibrant local economy.

As well as increasing the funding for the digital element of the scheme, the overall cap of the grant has been raised from £5,000 to £10,000 and the limit on applicants’ annual turnover has increased from £250,000 to £500,000.

* For more information or to apply for a Business Development Grant from Denbighshire County Council visit Denbighshire.gov.uk/business or contact 01824 706896.