Gillian Martin urges small businesses to apply for discretionary funding
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Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin is encouraging all eligible small businesses to apply for a discretionary fund grant when it opens next week.
The move is to help businesses that have not been able to access other sectoral support funds nor are eligible for the Strategic Framework Business Fund.
Having being approved previously by Aberdeenshire Council, the scheme will now launch on Monday January 25 with funds totalling £1.77million.
The funding allocation was awarded by the Scottish Government with the aim of helping to mitigate the short-term financial challenges being experienced by businesses adversely impacted by restrictions and regulations which were have been introduced since October 2020 to control the spread of Covid-19.
The Aberdeenshire Discretionary Fund will allow the Council to direct additional financial support to specific groups, sectors or businesses in the Aberdeenshire area.
More than 800 small businesses will be supported by a grant of £2,000 if eligible.
Commenting, Ms Martin said: “Many businesses have been impacted by the restrictions required to help control the spread of the coronavirus.
“We know this has been an incredibly difficult and worrying time for businesses and this discretionary fund has been created to help with short-term financial support.
“I would encourage any small business to apply for the funding when it opens on Monday.
“As a former self-employed business owner myself I know how vital support can be.”
