Council / Business start-up fund open for applications
SHETLAND Islands Council has announced the launch of a start-up grant scheme to provide financial support to new businesses for a pilot period of 18 months.
The grant scheme, put together in partnership with HIE, will be delivered through the council’s business gateway service and will offer funding of up to £2,000 to eligible business start-ups, with a further supplement of £1,000 available for entrepreneurs aged 30 and under.
It is open to applications now and the local authority says it is designed to offer incentives to create new jobs and economic opportunities, encourage innovation, boost productivity and growth, and support the recovery and renewal of the local economy following disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Business Gateway Shetland manager Kirsten Nicolson said: “This new financial support will be a welcome boost for new business start-ups.
“It will provide our business advisers with the opportunity to engage with more people at an early stage to assist with the transition into self-employment, and highlight the other business support available to them through Business Gateway as well as other support agencies.”
HIE’s Shetland area manager Katrina Wiseman said: “As part of our continued response to supporting economic recovery following the pandemic, we want to stimulate entrepreneurship and employment in Shetland.
“This grant will provide the incentive needed to support more young people to start their own businesses.”
Further information on the fund can be found here. Prospective applicants can contact Business Gateway Shetland by email on businessgateway@shetland.gov.uk or by phoning (01595) 707451.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.