A Priming Grant is a business start-up grant, available to micro enterprises within the first 18 months of start-up. Prmining grants may be available for sole traders, partnerships, community groups or limited companies that fulfil the following criteria :

Located within County Westmeath.
A business which on growth may or may not fit the Enterprise Ireland portfolio.
A business employing up to 10 employees.
A Manufacturing or Internationally traded services business.
A Domestically traded services business with potential to trade internationally.
A Domestically traded services business being established by a female returning to the workforce or unemployed persons where the potential for deadweight and displacement does not exist.

HOW MUCH CAN YOU GET?

If your proposed project is deemed eligible and if you satisfy the various criteria for acceptance, the maximum aid available is 50% of the VAT exclusive costs to a maximum of €150,000.00 Grants over €80,000 and up to €150,000.00 shall be the exception and shall only apply in the case of projects that clearly demonstrate a potential to graduate to Enterprise Ireland and /or to export internationally.

In all other cases, the maximum grant shall be 50% of the investment or €80,000 whichever is the lesser.

Subject to the 50% limit, a maximum grant of up to €7,500 per full time job created shall apply in respect of any employment support grant aided.

A promoter (grant aided business/individual) may not receive in excess of €100,000 within any one three year period from State Aid.

WHAT CAN YOU RECEIVE A GRANT FOR ?

Expenditure may be considered under the following headings :

Capital Items - including fit out of workspace, office equipment, machinery, computer costs. (Note : acquisition of building and purchase of mobile assets are excluded from grant aid)

Salary Costs. For first year of employment. Maximum grant aid available of €7,500 per new full time job created.

Rental / Accomodation Costs. For first year of project.

Utility Costs. These include installation costs for telephone & broadband. (Note mobile phone costs are excluded)

Marketing Costs. These include packaging, brochures, trade fairs, website design and development, and other marketing initiatives.

Consultancy Costs. These include design fees, patent costs, architect, accountant and legal fees.

Business Specific Training. Costs here refer to specialised management or key personnel training programmes that are required to ensure the growth of the business. Such courses should not be generally available under the Boards general training programme.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ?

To apply for financial assistance for your business you should contact a Business Advisor at Westmeath County Enterprise Board. They will advise you fully on completing application forms once you are deemed eligible to apply.

Appointments with Business Advisors can be made by calling 044-9349222 or by email to :

Aileen Mc Grath : amcgrath@westmeath-enterprise.ie

Christine Charlton : ccharlton@westmeath-enterprise.ie

Westmeath County Enterprise Board, Church Avenue, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath Tel: 044-9349222 Fax: 044-9349009 Email: info@westmeath-enterprise.ie Company Registration: 229546