Businesses that sell low carbon or energy efficiency products and services can get a business growth grant and use the money to contribute towards business growth expenditure, such as marketing, software, equipment, consultancy, and used electric vehicles.
Recipients of business growth grants have included heating engineers, double glazing installers, renewable energy companies, re-use and recycling companies and sustainable architects.
Other types of businesses can get an energy efficiency grant and use the money to contribute towards energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades, including solar panels, LED lighting and used electric vehicles.
Brighton-based architect Stickland Wright is one of the grant recipients, using LoCASE grant funding to support their work to improve the carbon efficiency of residential and commercial buildings.
Sophie Law-Smith, Business Manager at Stickland Wright, said: “As part of the LoCASE grant we were able to secure vital software and equipment that enables us to expand our current retrofit offering. The project has provided the team with the IT equipment and software to assess existing buildings, run 3D energy models, simulate potential design options and analysis the energy performance of potential upgrades.”
Kerry Byott, Business Growth Manager at the University of Brighton, said: “LoCASE is a great opportunity to get a cash injection into your business. The application process is straightforward, and we’re here to help you with it. We hold regular clinics to support businesses with their applications, or we can help on a one-to-one basis. My message to businesses in Sussex? Get involved before the money runs out!”
LoCASE is supported by the European Regional Development Fund to provide a free business support programme across the south and east. Businesses interested in getting a grant should contact the University of Brighton’s low carbon business network, the Green Growth Platform, via www.clean-growth.uk/locase.