BUSINESSES across Shropshire have been urged to take advantage of a grant scheme to revamp buildings.

The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has encouraged businesses to apply to the scheme as soon possible to complete their build projects before the scheme ends in June 2019.

The Marches Building Investment Grant (MBIG) was launched in 2017 with support from the European Regional Development Fund.

It allows businesses across the Marches to apply for grants of up to £100,000 to facilitate extensions, renovations or reconfigurations that will support business growth and create jobs.

The scheme has awarded businesses across the region £750,000 to date, but with all projects needing to be completed with the next twelve month, programme manager Caroline Cattle urged businesses not to delay.

She said: "The tangible difference that this scheme can make to businesses across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin has already been proven.

"Manufacturing sites have been extended; showrooms have been reconfigured; and warehouses have been transformed.

“Importantly, new jobs have been created with many more safeguarded for the region. It was always our aim that this scheme should create 130 new jobs and we’re already half-way to that figure.

"However, the terms of the scheme are such that all supported building work must be completed by June 2019.

"That makes now the ideal time to get an application in so that all the necessary paperwork, planning and construction can be realised in good time.”

The Marches Building Investment Grant (MBIG) awards up to 45 per cent of the total project costs (to a maximum £100,000) with funds intended to cover costs directly associated with the conversion or alteration of a building. The money cannot be used towards the cost of purchasing the property, equipment, or ‘excessive’ landscaping, nor can applications be made retrospectively.

Caroline Cattle added: “Businesses across the Marches still stand to benefit from a significant funding pot, but they do need to act quickly to take advantage of this in order to meet the terms of the scheme and ensure that any private-sector match funding is also in place.

“The difference that the funding has already made to the businesses that have been in receipt of grants is clear. Without it, jobs simply wouldn’t have yet been created and, in some cases, existing jobs may have been lost.

“We welcome applications from both owner-occupiers and from tenants of commercial premises and are happy to answer any queries that potential applicants may have.”

The conversion or refurbishment of residential property is exempt from the scheme and buildings which will be used for agricultural, horticultural, retail or hospitality purposes cannot apply either.

Herefordshire Council is the accountable body for the scheme.

For more information, contact Caroline Cattle or finance officer Alison Rogers on mbig@herefordshire.gov.uk, or call the Marches Growth Hub team on 0345 6000 727.