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A grant supporting local business growth

The Rural Business Grant supports new or existing businesses to develop new products and facilities that will be of wider benefit to the local economy. Priority will be given to investments that include improvements to sustainability. Eligible businesses include those in the Visitor Economy, the Hospitality sector, Manufacturing sector and others.

Cope Seeds & Grain are already seeing business growth thanks to new equipment purchased with help from the Rural Business Grant, distributed by the Council. Gemma Clarke, at Cope Seeds & Grain shares how the grant has helped the business: "The Rural Business Grant has enabled our business to purchase a state-of-the-art grain testing machine. This allows us to conduct all grain testing in house rather than sending samples on to 3rd party laboratories. This helps reduce the time getting results back to farmers, as well as reduce our carbon footprint." The new equipment has improved their service to farmers, due to delivering quicker results, resulting in the ability to purchase and trade parcels of grain quicker. Apply for the Rural Business Grant and unlock your business growth. This grant is being delivered by North Kesteven District Council for DEFRA under the Rural England Prosperity Fund. This allocation is an addendum to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Elevate your skills at the next Unmissable North Kesteven Online Workshop

Unlock the secrets to crafting unforgettable moments at the Experience Maker Workshop, delivered by an expert in delivering experiences.

What to expect during the session: an engaging session filled with valuable insights, practical tips, and hands on activities that will help you enhance your existing experience/activity, or develop a new one. Benefit from a re-cap of the programme so far and a run through of what's to come.

Book your place for this online workshop taking place on Tuesday 26 March, 11am to 2pm.

The 'Unmissable North Kesteven' workshops are funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, delivered by Unmissable England in partnership with Destination Lincolnshire and the Council. For more information visit the Council's website

Save the date for these upcoming events...

Business events are an excellent way to connect with like minded individuals, with opportunities for learning through workshops and expert speakers.

The Greater Lincolnshire & Rutland Manufacturing Conference is just a couple of weeks away and will be a day of insightful discussions tailored to manufacturing businesses, hosted at The Lawn in Lincoln on 8 March.

Expo season is nearly upon us... kickstarting with the Property & Business Investment Lincolnshire expo on 20 March at the Bentley Hotel Lincoln, a chance to grow your client and network contacts. The Build for the Future: East Midlands Expo is another excellent opportunity to meet those within property and construction, with an added focus on heritage and sustainability. It's taking place on 23 April at the Epic Centre.

You can attend all these events for free, but booking may be required. If you want a stronger presence at the expos, you can book to exhibit and have a stand.

UKREiiF 2024

The UK's Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) is a forum aiming to drive economic growth and inclusive investment across the UK. It has been running for the past couple of years, going from strength to strength.

The event is taking place over three days, from 21 May to 23 May, and will see over 10,000 attendees. Our economic development team will be attending to build new connections with businesses and other authorities nationwide.

It's an excellent opportunity for businesses to connect with people, places and businesses and unlock transformational investment. Visit UKREiiF's website for more information and to register.

Is your business on social media?

If so, follow us on X (formerly Twitter) or join our Facebook Group.

We share regular information, support and advice on each platform.

Free support for North Kesteven businesses

The Council offers the service of a Business Support Adviser, Phil Means. Phil can provide a whole range of bespoke advice and support.

If you are in business and feel you could benefit from free business advice, please do go ahead and contact him.

You can either call Phil on 07920 472671 or email phil_means@n-kesteven.gov.uk

QES Q1 survey now open

QES Quarter 1 is now open and is asking for your thoughts as a Lincolnshire business.

Take the survey and your responses will feed into data that will impact on Government policies and the economic recovery.

Your Business Boost

Your Business Boost is an 8-week programme, covering masterclasses in subjects such as Marketing, HR and Sales.

The programme is designed to help those in Retail, Hospitality and Leisure, achieve their business ambitions. The next two cohorts start on 18th April and 15th June.

To register your interest, please click here.

Webinars for the weeks ahead

04/03/24 13:30-14:30

LORIC SED Project: Networking & Data Drop In - Excel Tips & Pivot Tables

07/03/24 09:30-15:30

Start Up to Scale Up Starting in Business

08/03/24 10:00-13:00

Multiply - Basic Business Numeracy

For updates on any of the support available visit our Business NK website or the GLLEP website www.businesslincolnshire.com.

Updates will also be available on our twitter @BusinessNK