The Caithness Business Fund is delighted to announce that it has had a successful 2018, with six grants totalling £28,000 given out to local businesses including Autoquip Motors, Coastline, The Highland Haven, Lindsey Gallagher Studio and Workshop, and M2PCS. Most recently, the Fund Board was pleased to approve a grant of £5,000 to support Messy Nessy, which has recently opened in Thurso town centre.
The Fund was created in 2013 after discussions between Caithness Chamber of Commerce and Baillie Wind Farm Ltd who had a vision to see a wider area of Caithness and North Sutherland benefit from local wind farms. Baillie Wind Farm Ltd has committed to providing £25,000 per annum to the Fund over 25 years. This contribution is RPI index linked which means the contribution is increasing year on year.
In the nearly six years since the Fund’s creation, it has given invaluable support to a wide range of businesses, helping them to set up, expand and grow. In total, the Fund has given out 26 grants totalling £113,000, helping to create or secure 19 jobs in the local area.
The Fund is managed by Caithness Chamber of Commerce. Speaking about the work of the Fund, Trudy Morris, the Chamber’s chief executive, said:
“Setting up a new business or planning for expansion can be a difficult experience for many business people, whether they are experienced entrepreneurs or starting out in business for themselves for the very first time.
“The support that the Fund can offer to businesses – not just financially, but through giving advice, guidance and mentoring – in invaluable in helping local entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and support the local economy.
“As we head into 2019, we would particularly like to talk to those businesses who might be thinking of taking on an apprentice. The Fund is able to help with the cost of this, and the Chamber’s Developing the Young Workforce team can help you identify the best framework and put systems in place to make the process smoother. So why not come and talk to us?”
Whether you’ve always dreamed of running your own business but aren’t sure where to start, or you need a little extra help to take your business to the next level, the Caithness Business Fund can help you.
The Fund welcomes applications and details can be found on www.caithnessbusinessfund.co.uk, by calling Caithness Business Fund on 01847 500104 or via email enquiries@caithnessbusinessfund.co.uk
Caithness Business Fund
Naver Business Centre, Naver House, Naver Road, Thurso, Caithness, KW14 7QA
Registered in Scotland: SC450693
