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Business Newsletter Summer 2022

IN THIS ISSUE:
⭐ While you take a break over the summer, why not read up on all the grant support opportunities available to your business? And see what developments are taking place on the Bearsted Road Improvement Scheme ⭐

EV charging grant scheme

👉 The Workplace Charging Scheme is a voucher-based scheme that provides eligible applicants with support towards the upfront costs of the purchase and installation of EV charge points.

👉 The grant covers up to 75% of the total costs of the purchase and installation

C-Care green recovery voucher

🟢 Does your business need help going green? 🟢

👉 C-CARE has now launched a Green Recovery Voucher Scheme, with up to £1,500 available for Maidstone businesses towards energy efficient measures.

LoCASE

Will you be next for a LoCASE grant of up to £10,000?✅

👉 LoCASE has already awarded Maidstone businesses thousands of pounds of Low Carbon grants as well as training workshops and fully funded events.

👉 Targeted business support is available for companies who offer “green” or low carbon goods and services. The grant will form up to 40% of the cost of your eligible project, with the remainder matched by your business.

i-Construct

👉 i-Construct provides grants of between £1-£10k to part-fund the development and launch of a new product or service.

👉 Projects must focus on innovation or improving digital systems. Grant funding can be used for consultancy, software, hardware, and the creation of a new role to manage the project.

Manufacturing Growth Programme

👉 The Manufacturing Growth Programme provides free advice, support and grant funding to manufacturing SMEs to achieve their growth ambitions.

👉 Thousands of pounds worth of funding has already been awarded, get in touch with us to see if you are eligible.

Entries for the Queen’s award for enterprise are still open!

Is your business fit for a Queen?

Why not enter the Queen's Enterprise Awards ? To support your application we are running a workshop in August to give you hints and tips to help your success.                      Look out for more details soon.

Benefits for winners include:

👑Invitation to a royal reception
👑Boost to turnover & international trade
👑Increased staff moral
👑Greater global recognition
👑Excellent marketing opportunities

⭐Deadline: Tuesday 6 September⭐

Don't Miss!

MBB Start-Up Workshop - Thursday 15 September 

Do you know anyone thinking of starting a business?

If you’ve started your journey in business, or are thinking about starting-up in Maidstone, our MBB workshop can give you the tools and knowledge to kickstart your venture.

This is a FREE workshop for Maidstone Start-ups only. To be eligible for our workshop you must be a pre-start up or a business in its early stages (no more than 18 months old).

Help 2 Grow Management Course

Kent Business School is hosting a second How 2 Grow Management (H2GM) Programme starting Wednesday 31 August and registration is still open.

H2GM is a subsidised management course, funded by HM Government, suitable for aspiring and developing business leaders. Feedback from the first cohort was outstanding:

After every course I came away with a workbook full of ideas from that lesson's topic, and how I could incorporate them into my own business.

WANTED!

Pop-up shops and spaces at Lockmeadow

Lockmeadow seeks independent designers, retailers, artists and more to transform and utilise free, large spaces this summer. There is also the Town Square at the back of Lockmeadow which is free to hire: a large, open space which would be great for team building activities.

To find out more, please email your information and a photo of your products, or your interest in hiring the Town Square to 
alexakerstingwoods@maidstone.gov.uk

Businesses and volunteers for MBC's Go Green Information Centre

Want to showcase your sustainable goods and services for free at the 'Go Green Information Centre' in The Mall? 

Whether you're in insulation, solar panels, water-saving or green crafts, or if you have some time that you'd like to spend volunteering for a great cause, get in touch for more info
mbb@maidstone.gov.uk

The Go Green Information Centre will be open from late August and throughout September

Scarecrow Festival

Maidstone Borough Council is organising a Scarecrow Festival to be held over the autumn half term, 24 – 29 October 2022.

We are inviting local businesses to enter their own 2D or 3D scarecrow into the festival, and would love to see as many entrants as possible. There is even a 'best business' prize on offer.

If you’d like to get involved, please email annmarielangley@maidstone.gov.uk to register no later than Friday 26 August 2022.

Bearsted Road Improvement Works

Please be aware that Kent County Council will soon be starting work on the Bearsted Road Improvement Scheme which aims to increase the junction capacity by signalising the A249 Bearsted Road roundabout and enlarging the New Cut Road roundabout.

We have been assured that the initial works will have little effect on the Bearsted Road traffic, but please be aware of this when travelling to and from Maidstone. 

Any questions for Kent County Council can be raised via email: bearstedroad.majorproject@kent.gov.uk and once the works begin there will be a site liaison officer to field any questions.

🌲🌸Green tip of the month🍃🌻

Businesses can do their part to conserve water which is needed more than ever following the 40C heatwaves in Kent.

Installing basic water-efficient technologies and policies at your business will save you money and help conserve water for the county.

Develop a water conservation plan, check for leaks, fit aerated faucets, and engage and inform employees are all cost effective ways to make a big difference.

Need advice? Get in touch with Maidstone Borough Council at  ClimateandBiodiversity@Maidstone.gov.uk

⭐Marketing tip of the month⭐

If you're a seasonal business, then now is the time to get planning for Christmas! Having your campaigns ready to go for 1st September will set you up for success. 

~ Tahlia King, Marketing Manager & Co.   

Get involved!

Got a success story you'd like featured in the next newsletter?

Some tips you'd like to share on our blog?

Get in touch: getstarted@maidstone.gov.uk  /  01622 239300

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