This map shows the Assisted Areas from January 2007.

Firstly you have to be trading in or wish to establish your business in an area, which benefits from Grant, as shown above. From the 1st January 2000 the assisted areas of the country have been defined at Local Authority ward level and banded into Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 levels of assistance, see the map shown above.

With effect from the 1st September 2008 the counties of Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and Oxfordshire benefit from Tier 3 levels of assistance with only Thanet (All 23 wards) and 3 wards in Dover (namely Eastry, Sandwich and Whitfield) benefiting from Tier 2.

If in any doubt check with your local Economic Development unit details given under
Useful Resouces; or try Neighbourhood Statistics or Assisted Areas Postcode Database

Secondly you need to be in an eligible industry, be incurring eligible expenditure (see Minimum Capex for limits). For applications for grant over £100,000 be creating new quality jobs.

Thirdly help is only available to fund those projects which lead to long-term improvements in productivity, skills and employment, and should contribute positive benefits to both the regional and national economy.

Productivity is measured by Gross Value Added and for GBI purposes you will be benchmarked against the sector and national averages so it is important to identify your correct Standard Industrial Classification (For more information click here). Only those projects which achieve an above regional or national average are likely to be assisted.

Productivity targets that are set must be reached before the final tranche of grant is paid (not less than 20% of the grant offered).

Finally it is important that you have not started your project and are able to demonstrate viability, additionality and efficiency. You must accept that grants are discretionary and the government is seeking quality projects.

So what does all this mean?

Projects should not have started otherwise you are in severe jeopardy of not receiving a grant see page 10 of the Regional Investment brochure. Grants are made available to make things happen which might not otherwise happen. This is difficult to argue once the project has commenced. SEEDA will work on the assumption that you as a prudent businessman would not commence a project you could not see your way to fulfil. So sign no Leases or Contracts and pay no deposits to purchase land or equipment until your grant has been ratified in writing. SEEDA will ask to see copies of these documents when you come to claim. If timescales are tight we can discuss short term options with you. You are allowed however some preliminary due diligence like surveys and are expected to hold the appropriate Planning Permission. A copy should accompany your application or where appropriate be available at interview.

Payment under these grants is defrayed. You must be able to demonstrate:-

1. That the money has been spent by production of copy invoices, copy Lease or Land Certificate and Accountants' Certificate
2. That the agreed outputs be it jobs or otherwise have been created/achieved.

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