Please note that Wolverhampton’s UKSPF grant allocation is fully committed, however an application window is now open for EoI’s to be considered to go onto a reserve list should any of the current applications not progress.
These are competitive grant programmes whereby successful applicants will need to show a strong business case and economic or environmental impact. Details of the grant programmes are shown below – however it is important to note that alongside these new grant programmes there are also numerous other support packages.
West Midlands SME Grant Programme
The West Midlands SME Grant Programme seeks to increase productivity by improving business confidence, stimulating business activity, attracting investment, safeguarding existing and creating new jobs within local communities. In Wolverhampton Expressions of Interest are being considered for applications for grant support for capital equipment projects costing at least £40,000. (Any grant funding will be a capped figure which will be no more than 50% of the projects eligible costs). The full cost of the investment would have to be covered by the business and any grant secured will be paid by the Council in arrears and upon receipt of evidence from the business that costs were properly incurred.
The grant funding will be used for the following activities:
- Capital investment, e.g. new plant, machinery and equipment – (SME Grant)
- Low carbon/energy efficiency/waste management – (Net Zero Grant)
As this round is to identify projects that could go on a reserve list should grant funding become available the following criteria apply
- It must be a project to purchase capital equipment costing at least £40,000
- Defrayal with evidence of defrayal submitted to the Council must be completed no later than 14th February 2025
- Trading for at least 3 years
The first thing you will need to do is read the Guidance notes below, then submit an Expression of Interest (EoI) Form, which can also be found in the Guidance notes section below. Once both of these have been done, a member of the Council's Business Development Team will contact you within 10 working days to complete a short Business Diagnostic (BD) with you if you meet the eligibility criteria.
All these stages must be completed ahead of any grant application.
All grant applicants will be subject to, and must satisfactorily pass, a Financial Review; will be required to comply with the Councils Procurement rules; must be able to fund the full cost of the investment; and must satisfy the SME definition and public subsidy requirements.
Applications for both grants are on a competitive basis, subject to availability of funds, and distributed at the discretion of the Council.
West Midlands Net Zero Grant Programme
The West Midlands Net Zero Grant Programme (NZGP) seeks to support businesses to reduce their environmental impact and to reduce the rising energy costs companies are experiencing.
It is open to small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) from all sectors which are based within the Wolverhampton City Council local authority area.
In Wolverhampton Expressions of Interest are being considered for applications for grant support for capital investment projects costing at least £40,000. This funding will be a capped figure which will be no more than 50% of the project's eligible costs. The full cost of the investment would have to be covered by the business, and any grant secured will be paid by the Council in arrears and upon receipt of evidence from the business that costs were properly incurred. Please see the detailed Information, guidance notes and Expression of Interest form tab below.
All applicants must undertake a free energy assessment prior to submission of an expression of interest. If your business has had an energy assessment from an assessor with appropriate knowledge and qualifications within the last 2 years, please contact business.development@wolverhampton.gov.uk and you will be able to apply for a grant subject to eligibility requirements. If your business has yet to have an energy assessment one can be delivered free of charge through the region's decarbonisation programme, and will be undertaken by Pro Enviro.
Please note an Energy Assessment must be completed first – this can then be used in the expression of interest to identify the investment you are looking to make. Any grant application subsequently made can only relate to items identified in the Energy Assessment – subject to available funding you can apply for grant support toward any or all of the recommendations in your Assessment .
Once an Expression of Interest (EoI) has been submitted a member of the Council's Business Development Team will contact you within 10 working days to complete a Business Diagnostic with you if you meet the eligibility criteria.
All grant applicants will be subject to, and must satisfactorily pass, a Financial Review; will be required to comply with the Councils Procurement rules; must be able to fund the full cost of the investment, must satisfy the SME definition and public subsidy requirements.
Applications for both grants are on a competitive basis, subject to availability of funds, and distributed at the discretion of the Council.
If you are considering applying to one of these grant programmes please access the detailed information, guidance notes below and the expression of interest:
Grant Application process
To apply for a Net Zero grant you will be required to complete the following steps:
Energy Assessment – applicants must undertake a free energy assessment prior to submission of an Expression of Interest and subsequent grant application. If your business has had an energy efficiency assessment from an assessor with appropriate knowledge and qualifications within the last 2 years, please contact business.development@wolverhampton.gov.uk and you will be able to submit and Expression of Interest when the grant window is open. If your business has yet to have an energy assessment one can be delivered free of charge through the region's decarbonisation programme, and will be undertaken by Pro Enviro on behalf of consortia lead, Aston University.
To register for your free Energy Assessment please visit businessgrowthwestmidlands.org.uk.
Expression of Interest (EoI) – this will be via an online form on the Council website; it will ask for baseline details of the business; details of the specific investment you are looking to make, the total cost, the timeline for completion of the project or purchase; and an assurance that you have the funds to cashflow the investment. The project for which you are looking for grant support must relate to one the recommendations in the Energy Assessment
Business Diagnostic (BD) – this will normally be completed via a TEAMs call; will cover details of the business history, operational structure and business activity, growth plans, barriers and challenges, and opportunities. This typically takes 1-2 hours of an applicants' time to complete with support from one of the CWC Business Development Team.
Single Declaration Form (SDF) – this will be part completed by the Business Development Team and sent to you add in equality and diversity information, the level of state aid received over the past 3 years, to agree to pour privacy statement; and to then sign and return. Grants are subject to UK Subsidy Allowance rules and all applicants will be required to complete a Minimum Financial Assistance (MFA) declaration as part of the SDF.
Financial Review (FR) – all applicants must pass a financial review carried out by one of the CWC Business Development Team. The following are required for the Financial Review: the last 2 years registered accounts, the latest management accounts - (P&L and Balance Sheet, and the last 60 days bank statements.
12 month Cash Flow Forecast – you will be required to complete a 12 month cashflow forecast to show projected income and expenses over the next 12 months.
Procurement – you will be required to provide a detailed specification of the item you are looking to purchase so that we can advertise the opportunity on the Find it in the Black Country Portal for 10 days. We will also require you to source 3 like for like quotes using the specification supplied, and to then complete a High or low value Procurement form identifying the preferred supplier. *Please see the procurement section below for more information
Procurement Form (PF) – you will be required to complete a High or Low Value Procurement Form. On this you will be asked detail and score the quotes, identify the preferred supplied, and confirm there is no conflict of interest with the suppliers.
Grant Application Form (GA) – once you have satisfactorily completed the stages and forms noted above you will be supported to complete the grant form. The full application will require a summary of the applicant’s business proposal/business plan – this will include information relating to an outline of your project (what do you want to achieve); the business case and rationale for the project; the impact and outcomes of the project; project management details and project costs; sustainable development and equal opportunities details. The Energy Assessment will help support the completion of the Grant Application form.
Investment Panel – these take place on a weekly basis and once your grant application is completed and signed it will be presented to the next available Panel. All forms must be completed and documents supplied at least 3 days before the Panel meetings.
Award of Grant – If the Investment Panel approve your application for grant funding you receive an email advising you can spend at risk. We would advise that you only place orders once you have received, signed and returned your grant offer letter - we will notify you when we have received the signed contract back.
Applications for grants are on a competitive basis, subject to availability of funds, and distributed at the discretion of the Council.
Submit your Expression of Interest
Submit your evidence
Those businesses that that have completed the grant application process and had their grant application approved can submit the appropriate evidence via the links below.