This grants scheme is part of the ‘Business Support’ key priority theme of the Flintshire and Wrexham Investment Zone. It will be the first element of the Investment Zone programme to be launched in both Wrexham and Flintshire in January.

What is the purpose of this grant scheme?

Grants will be available to support SME business growth in the Advanced Manufacturing sector.

The grants are aligned to core objectives of the Flintshire and Wrexham Investment Zone: £1 billion in private sector investment and creation of 6,000 high value jobs over 10 years in the advanced manufacturing sector for both regions.

How much will grants offer?

Grants will offer eligible business applying to accelerate manufacturing growth: from £5,000 to £100,000 per award, with a minimum 30% match fund paid by the business.

What can the grants support?

SME’s can apply for one, or any combination, of the following grants (to the maximum value of £100,000 for each element below. Total maximum value £300,000 over 3 projects):

Capital equipment

For the purchase of equipment to support or enhance the manufacturing capability of an SME.

Accreditation and certification

For the purchase of training and/or consultancy support for an SME to achieve an accreditation or certification to enhance access to new supply chain opportunities with larger manufacturers and enhance business turnover and growth. 

Property adaptation and decarbonisation

For the purchase of services and building modifications for an SME to transition to more sustainable operations.

Applicant eligibility criteria

• Only SME (small and medium sized enterprises) businesses are eligible to apply.
  The UK Government sets SME core criteria as:
  • having fewer than 250 staff
  • less than or equal to £44 million in annual turnover or a balance sheet total of less than or equal to £38 million.
• The applicant must be a manufacturing business in its own right - manufacturing is defined as the “Process of turning raw materials or parts into finished goods through the use of tools, human labour, machinery and chemical processing”.
• All applicant organisations must have a business address in Flintshire County.
• All equipment and infrastructure investment, property adaptations, accreditation and technical advice and support must apply to a business premises in Flintshire.
• All business applicants must have been trading for a minimum of 12 months in Flintshire.
• The company must be able to secure the means (either through its own or other funds, such as a loan) to initially finance 100% of the project costs.

Ineligible Businesses

• Excluded sectors include: retail, supply chain (unless manufacturing business), logistics, transport, distribution and warehousing.
• No grant will be awarded to any business that has been in dispute with Flintshire County Council (for example non-payment of business rates, breach of planning, environmental health, health and safety regulations) during the past 5 years.

Key Core Outputs 

The following will need to be reported to access grant funding:

• New jobs created
• Value of private sector investment

Dependent upon the project/grant awarded, your business may also need to report:

• New technologies adopted
• Reduction in carbon emissions
• Improved green credentials
• Increased turnover
• Increased productivity
• New products to the business
• Access to new markets (domestic or international)
• Commercial space improved
• Vacant unit filled
• Area of investment space improved (square metre)

Submitting an application

The first step is to contact investmentzone@flintshire.gov.uk to request an Expression of Interest (EOI) form and the appropriate Guidance Notes which will give more information on the scheme and the application submission deadline dates.

Once the completed EOI is returned, you’ll be introduced to the FCC Business Development team. They will discuss your project with you, offer verbal guidance on whether it is likely to be eligible, and provide the “Full application” form.

Please note: Your project will not be funded if it has commenced before your grant application has been approved by the grants panel and you have received a formal confirmation letter.

How long will grant funding be available for?

£1 million of grant funding will be available each year 2025/26, 2026/27 and 2027/28 and will be reviewed as part of the Investment Zone 10 year programme after the initial 3 years of delivery, to monitor business benefit and outputs aligned to the Investment Zone core objectives.

2026/2027 and 2027/28 application windows will be stated at a later date.

More information

For more information or to discuss your proposal please contact the relevant local authority / authorities:

Flintshire team: email: investmentzone@flintshire.gov.uk