Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council has announced that the third phase of the Small Settlement Business Support Grant Scheme has officially opened.

Commercial property owners, leaseholders and tenants with premises located in small settlements across the borough will be able to apply the Council for one of two grants before 12 noon on Friday 24 May 2024.

Previous phases of the scheme have improved small rural towns and villages across the borough and bring economic benefit to businesses in areas with a population of between 1,000 and 4,999 people.

To date, 82 businesses located in Bleary, Donaghcloney, Keady, Markethill and Tandragee have successfully obtained substantial funding. This funding is secured for improving the exteriors of their buildings and repurposing unused areas into new commercial spaces.

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Two types of grants are available for properties located within the boundaries of the following small settlements: Aghagallon, Bleary, Gilford, Dollingstown, Donaghcloney, Keady, Laurelvale/Mullavilly, Magheralin, Markethill, Rathfriland, Richhill, Tandragee and Waringstown.

The Commercial Façade grant offers a maximum of £3,000 to improve commercial properties' external appearance through fresh paint and signage. The Reconfiguring Space grant offers a maximum of £20,000 for significant internal structural modifications aimed at repurposing unused spaces into new commercial units. Both grants cover up to 80 per cent of eligible costs, with applicants required to contribute a minimum of 20 per cent of the project's expenses as matching funding.

Online information sessions will take place on 11 April at 8.30am and 6.00pm for applicants needing assistance with making an application.

The Council is delivering the Small Settlement Business Support Grant scheme as a component of the Covid Recovery Small Settlements Regeneration Programme. This initiative, jointly funded by DfC, DAERA, and DfI, has allocated over £26 million to councils to improve the economy of smaller rural towns and villages in the aftermath of the pandemic.

This programme has also provided funding for environmental improvement schemes in Gilford, Markethill and Rathfriland, active travel initiatives, and a market strategy for the borough.