Large amounts of funding are available to assist businesses and individuals wanting to develop their skills and business, although accessing these funds can sometimes be difficult.

West Devon Business Information Point has a proven record of assisting its clients submitting successful applications to a wide range of funders. In some instances this expertise is available either partially funded or fully funded. Feasibility studies, business plans and applications to the following schemes or funders can be undertaken:

• Rural Enterprise Scheme
• Processing & Marketing Scheme
• Vocational Training Scheme
• Learning & Skills Council
• Government Office South West
• South West England Regional Development Agency
• Essme Fairbairn Foundation

Following a successful bid, in partnership with North Devon Enterprise Agency, to Government Office South West and Devon Renaissance, funding was secured to allow businesses in West Devon, Torridge and North Devon to receive support from their Local Enterprise Agency. The project ran from July 2006 through to March 2008 and due to its success funding was obtained in May 2007, from Devon Renaissance, East Devon District Council and Teignbridge District Council to roll the project out into East Devon, Mid Devon and Teignbridge working in partnership with Enterprise South Devon.

The eligibility criteria are any business except Land Based, and employee numbers, these must be less than 250, and so most businesses will qualify for this support.

Business Link are working with us offering free information and support to businesses via their call centre, 0845 6009966.

The project offers support in two ways, firstly by offering short workshops in a wide range of subjects including:

• Sales and Marketing
• Computers
• Cashflow Planning
• Budgeting
• New Product Development
• Business Finance

These workshops are available throughout the East Devon, Mid Devon and Teignbridge districts.

On top of this support, for a limited number of businesses that want to examine their business performance closely, in order to increase turnover and improve profits, we have 3 days worth of support available from a business advisor. The advisor can help you in any aspect of your business development.

If you would like to find out more about this project, please contact us in the office on our Free phone number 0800 592872.

West Devon BIP are now working in partnership with North Devon + to deliver the Rural Innovation Project with funding secured from Devon Renaissance, West Devon Borough Council, North Devon Council and Devon County Council. The project will be available to any business based in West Devon, North Devon and Torridge with less than 250 employees.

The project aims to raise the awareness of the value of innovation by facilitating workshops and linking with the local knowledge base. Businesses that are motivated to take up innovative changes will be invited to attend further facilitated innovation workshops with a view to commencing collaborations with knowledge base organizations.

The project will run until December 2008 so if you would like to find out more about it please contact us in the office on our free phone number 0800 592872.

Redundant Buildings Grants are designed to help to create new business premises and support job creation in the South Hams, West Devon, Torridge and North Devon. Funding for other areas of Devon has been applied for.

Grants are available for space for manufacturing, service or creative industries, office premises, warehousing and distribution and for facilities supporting tourism and leisure and can cover up to 25% of eligible costs. This project is part funded by The European Union and SWRDA and has an upper grant limit of €100,000 which is approximately £68,000.

Please visit the Devon Renaissance website for further details

This program is fully committed at present, we are currently awaiting updates

Details are slowly emerging with regard to the new rural development programme. The access point is through the South West of England Rural Development Gateway telephone 0845 600 99 66. Further support is available through county based local facilitators who will assist with the development of project ideas.

There are a number of activities that the programme can support. These include;

• Modernisation of agricultural holdings.
• Diversification into non-agricultural activities.
• Cooperation is supported to develop new products or processes or new technologies.
• Support for the creation and development of micro-enterprises.

Eligible costs for many of these projects would include salaries, ICT equipment, feasibility studies, marketing support, product development, branding and associated costs. Grant rates are likely to be in the range of 40-50%.

There will also be a number of larger regional projects covering the following areas;

• Business support which will include SWREG and its associated groups.
• Business grant and product development support.
• Resource management programme covering soil water energy and waste.
• Sustainable rural tourism programme supply/chain added value.
• A social/community enterprise programme.

Support for training will also be available in a wide range of subjects.

Large projects that require grant in excess of £75,000 are being sought over the next few months, smaller projects being welcomed thereafter; if you have any potential activities please ring SWREG to express your interest in the programme on 0845 6009966.

If you require assistance in submitting an expression of interest to SWREG West Devon Business Information Point are able to assist, together with help with full applications for this newly emerging program, please call us on 0800 592872 for further details.