More recovery grants available for Mid Sussex groups

The Mid Sussex District Council Cabinet Grants Panel met on March 15 to consider a second round of funding applications, following the award of more than £147,000 in December 2020.

In total, 37 community groups and local businesses were awarded grant funding of up to £5,000 each.

The funding awards are due to be formally confirmed today (Thursday) following a 10 day ‘call-in’ period.

The Covid-19 Recovery Grants, funded through Mid Sussex District Council’s 2020/21 budget, are in addition to the national financial support schemes provided by the Government.

They are designed specifically to help Mid Sussex organisations to cope with the costs of Covid-19, and build for the future.

Grants were awarded to 20 local businesses, and projects including care packages for osolated older people, outside shelters for community activities and training courses to help people who have lost their jobs during the pandemic.

Councillor Stephen Hillier, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth said: “The Government has been offering financial support to all businesses who are mandated to close but the application window for the ‘Local Restrictions Support Grants’ closes for the final time on March 31. There remains funding of around £10million and I strongly encourage our local businesses to apply at https://midsussex.grantapproval.co.uk/ or contact the Council to check your eligibility at [email protected]

“The recovery of our local economy is now the number one priority for Mid Sussex District Council and that’s why we’re providing this additional support, unique to our area, that will help local businesses bounce back from this awful pandemic.”

Councillor Norman Webster, Cabinet Member for Community said: “If the past year has shown us anything, it’s the importance of supporting one another and local voluntary groups have such a key role to play. This grant funding will help them to respond to the immediate challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and to adapt and reconfigure their operations, so they are in a strong position to provide their services in the future.”