BUSINESSES in West Craven are being urged to apply for innovation and productivity grants.

The grants are being administered by Pendle Council and funded by the Department of Levelling Up and Communities and Housing, via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Their purpose is to support businesses with investment in research, development and innovation, and must be used for the adoption of ‘new to the firm’ technologies or processes in order to demonstrate an improvement in productivity.

The maximum grant is £18,000 and businesses have a year from the beginning of April to spend the money and provide evidence of an increase in productivity. Companies are urged to get their applications in before April 1 this year, as funding is limited and because of the tight timescale.

Councillor Asjad Mahmood, leader of Pendle Borough Council, said: “These grants will help to fund the growth and development of existing businesses in the borough. They can be used to fund either a research element or a development stage - or both. They could fund research activity with local organisations or pay for new equipment. I hope local businesses will take full advantage of them.”

For more information, visit https://www.pendle.gov.uk/innovategrant If you are interested in applying for a grant, contact Mike Williams via email michael.williams@pendle.gov.uk or by calling 01282 661963.