High demand for business grants in Highlands
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Highland Council has said it is working hard to release business grants to eligible local businesses as quickly as possible.
The local authority has received over 2,000 applications since the scheme was introduced last week and has set up systems to process these applications quickly while ensuring the necessary information is received.
A first batch of grant payments, totalling around £185,000, will be with businesses by tomorrow with further payments next week.
A council spokesperson said: "Any businesses which might be eligible for the small business grant or retail, hospitality and leisure grant should go to Highland Council’s website for further information."
As part of its response to the Covid-19 emergency, the Scottish Government is making grants available for certain businesses and has asked the council to administer the scheme on its behalf within the Highland Council area.
Eligibility for the grant is defined by the Scottish Government and business premises must have been occupied on March 17 2020.
Only businesses who are currently on the Non-Domestic Rates register may apply for this grant.
Businesses operating in an eligible premises that was in receipt of the Small Business Bonus Scheme and Rural Relief as at March 17 2020, can apply for a one-off grant of £10,000.
Retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with a rateable value between £18,001 and up to and including £51,000, if operating in that sector as at March 17 2020, will be able to apply for a one-off grant of £25,000.
More details are available at https://www.highland.gov.uk/coronavirus
