Finance and Funding
West Northants is an area where funding for businesses is and will always be a top priority. Employers in this area have benefited from a variety of funding streams over recent years to increase productivity & innovation, to progress to net zero and to expand and scale.
Over the last three years, West Northants Council received £5.4m of UK Shared Prosperity Fund and £1.3m of Rural England Prosperity Fund. As a business-dedicated local authority, over £3million of these funds were allocated to business support & grants.
Previous examples of funding already delivered include the following:
- Resilience & Innovation Fund – a business grant that provides support to enterprises based in the South Midlands area who are looking to invest in their business leading to growth: to strengthen their business performance and resilience to respond to cost-of-living challenges; increase innovation levels and enhance sustainability, in support for the transition towards a net zero economy. Grants ranged between £5,000 – £50,000.
- Growing Innovation Fund – designed to fuel business innovation by providing financial support to ambitious companies in the South Midlands region. The Grants are for businesses looking to develop innovative new products, services or processes, and support decarbonisation ambitions to enhance business resilience. Grants ranged between £100,000 – £300,000.
- Net Zero West Northants – expert advice to benefit employers by reducing energy bills, assessing the existing carbon footprint and solution to implement energy saving measures through grants to improve energy security & efficiency, as well as improve green marketing & credentials to ensure the business was more desirable to work with and for. Grants ranged between £1,000 – £20,000
- Business Growth & Innovation – a comprehensive programme to deliver business growth initiatives, including activities designed to empower innovation and accelerate growth resulting in enhanced productivity and competitiveness, whilst developing new skills and increasing employment opportunities. Grants ranged from £2,500 – £20,000
In 2025/26, West Northants Council will receive a further £1,755,168 which will include more funded business support and grants. Information on this fund will be updated on the West Northants Council website here.