Business Growth Fund

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council has been allocated funding from TVCA's Indigenous Growth Fund to support inward and investment and business growth across the Tees Valley. We understand that there are many businesses across the Borough who have meaningful growth plans in place but require some financial support to implement plans. Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council have developed the Business Investment & Growth programme to help supercharge growth and create employment opportunities across the Borough.  

Stockton-on-Tees businesses are being encouraged to apply for this grant funding. Where eligible, businesses can apply for up to 70% of the proposed project costs (maximum grant of £50,000), which will be determined and discussed as part of the application process and will depend on economic output.

Grant levels:

Grants are available for:

• Up to 70% of the project costs will be supported by the Business Investment & Growth Fund for businesses looking to recruit more than 5 new employees as a direct result of the proposed project.
• Up to 60% of the project costs will be supported by the Business Investment & Growth Fund for businesses looking to recruit between 3-5 new employees as a direct result of the proposed project.
• Up to 50% of the project costs will be supported by the Business Investment & Growth Fund for businesses looking to recruit less than 3 new employees as a direct result of the proposed project.

Eligible businesses are those within both identified high growth sectors and locations who require grants to support with capital expenditure items.

Key Sectors

Projects must fall within the key sectors identified:

• Life Sciences and Biotechnology
• Digital and Creative Services
• Manufacturing and Engineering
• Chemicals and Process
• Logistics
• Energy and Environment
• Office Based
• Healthcare

Strategic Business Locations

Projects must fall within these strategic business locations:

• Belasis Business Park
• Billingham Chemical Complex, Seal Sands & North Tees
• Cowpen Lane Industrial Estate
• Durham Lane Industrial Park
• Portrack Lane
• Preston Farm
• Teesdale Business Park
• Teesside Industrial Estate
• Teesside International airport
• Wynyard Business Park

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility criteria for projects are:

• Businesses must be in Stockton-on-Tees with a fixed business premise (paying rates or rent) or are seeking to relocate to the Borough and the grant is required to support the inward investment.
• Capital expenditure items only are eligible, these include building works to upgrade or extend the premises, fixtures and fittings, machinery, equipment, software (purchase and development), marketing drives, targeted consultancy, specialist training. Excludes property or land acquisition and all revenue.
• Jobs must be full or part-time permanent contracts. A full-time job must be a minimum of 30 hours per week. Two part-time jobs can count as one FTE job. Government funded work schemes don't count as Jobs unless future employment can be sustained. Safeguarded jobs also taken into consideration.
• Ratio of grant funds to jobs created is £10k per FTE (guidance only)
• Jobs created will be expected to be sustained for a minimum of 1 year.
• This fund will not support the displacement of jobs or businesses from across the Tees Valley unless business growth can be demonstrated.
• Charities and Social Enterprises are eligible if more than 50% of their turnover is from trading.

The fund will be managed by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Economic Development team. Expressions of interest can be submitted until Sunday 31 August 2025, although the scheme may close earlier if demand is high. There is a two-stage application process for local businesses looking to apply:

1. Expression of Interest (EOI): Businesses are encouraged to submit an EOI form to ensure their project aligns with local priorities and fits within the programme's timeframe. 
2. Panel Presentation and Full Application: If the EOI is approved, businesses will be invited to present their project to a panel. Eligible applicants will then be invited to submit a full application. 

Throughout the process - and beyond - businesses will receive 1-2-1 specialist support. This support is also available to businesses that are not eligible for funding at this time.