Council confirms extension dates for Discretionary Grant Funding applications

Rossendale Council have confirmed an extension to the date’s businesses are able to apply for further discretionary grant funding. 

Businesses that have been severely affected by Covid-19 since October are able to apply for the discretionary Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) even if they have already applied for other grant funding.  

The Government have provided councils with a limited amount of funding to deliver the grant and the council, after receiving 200 applications to date, are now able to extend the application date for the discretionary additional restrictions grant (ARG) to 13th January 2021. 

A spokesperson at Rossendale Council said: “The discretionary grant will provide limited financial support to businesses with or without a business rate assessment, who have been severely impacted by the restrictions.” 

Assistance will be focused on those eligible businesses that protect the highest number of jobs, have suffered the greatest impact to their business and those with the highest business related fixed costs. 

The Council may also provide additional support to larger local businesses that are important to the local economy or who are considered to be of significant historic importance to the local area. 

Alyson Barnes Council Leader said: “The council will do all we can to support our businesses through this incredibly tough time and that includes with financial support where we are able.  

“The money received from government whilst welcome, doesn’t go far enough in enabling us to help our local businesses. It is also important that the Government provide discretion to local councils to target business grant support at those businesses that most need the financial support, and we are best placed to know our businesses and the challenges which are particular to them. We’d encourage all businesses that fit the criteria to apply for this funding as soon as possible.” 

The Council are asking businesses to go to https://bit.ly/ARGdisc for further information on criteria and how to apply.