Meath County Enterprise Board

Grants

The Board can consider applications for financial assistance from new start-up or expanding businesses (employing less than 10) involved in manufacturing, internationally traded services, or have the potential for international trade or innovative local service businesses operating within County Meath. The Board can consider project applications that fall within those and other eligibility criteria for the following financial assistance packages. View full details

Priming Grants (Start _Up Businesses)
Up to a maximum of 50% of the cost of the investment up to a maximum amount of €75,000. Eligible costs include capital items; salary costs; rental /accommodation costs; utility costs; marketing costs; consultancy costs and Business Specific training. Grants over €80,000 up to €150,000 may be awarded in exceptional cases with clear potential to graduate to the Enterprise ireland portfolio/export internationally. A maximum grant of up to €15,000 per full time job will apply to high value jobs attracting over €40k salary.
Business Expansion Grants
Up to a maximum of 50% of the cost of the investment up to a maximum amount of €75,000. Eligible costs include capital items; salary costs; rental /accommodation costs; utility costs; marketing costs; consultancy costs and Business Specific training. Grants over €80,000 up to €150,000 may be awarded in exceptional cases with clear potential to graduate to the Enterprise ireland portfolio/export internationally. A maximum grant of up to €15,000 per full time job will apply to high value jobs attracting over €40k salary.
Application Form for the Priming / Business Expansion Grant
Feasibility Study Grants
Up to 50% of the cost of undertaking a feasibility study on an innovative new product or service may be considered subject to a maximum of €20,000.
Appliction Form for the Feasibility Study Grant
Please note: Primary processing, Retail/wholesale, Professional services & Consultancies, Tourism related businesses, Local service businesses ( i.e. restaurants, pubs, cafes, plumbers, hairdressers, construction etc..) or mobile assests (cars/vans) are not eligible for financial assistance.

You can download the full guidelines on each grant type and eligible expenditure.

Each application must be accompanied by a Current Business Plan with Projected / Historial Financials, Quotations for all items of Expenditure and a completed application form.

A current business plan is required with all applications.

Criteria for Financial Assistance

To qualify for grant aid the promoters must demonstrate that:

The project is in the commercial sphere and is capable of obtaining economic viability without ongoing Exchequer or EU assistance.
The project is in manufacturing or internationally traded services.
There is a market for the proposed product or service.
Adequate overall finance will be available to fund the project.
That the person, group or company possesses the management and technical capacity to implement the proposed project.
Projects must have the capacity to create new direct employment either full or part-time or seasonal.

Projects will not be assisted where:

These are in areas of enterprise that there is already sufficient firms participating and the proposal would lead to job displacement elsewhere.
Areas of enterprise on the EU and National Sensitive Lists.
Areas of enterprise coming under other schemes or operational programmes.
Projects are contrary to National policy.
Projects involving primary agricultural production.
Where investment is in mobile assets.
Projects involving purely sales and distribution e.g. retail outlets will not be assisted.

Export Marketing Grants 2010

The Export Marketing Grant can be used to part-fund the cost of Travel & Subsistence, Trade Fair Attendance/Exhibiting, and the creation of marketing material specifically for overseas markets.

Grant Terms

·Grant covers 50% of eligible costs (subject to a maximum of €2,000 per company)

·Applications must be made prior to any expenditure being incurred.

·Payment will be made to approved projects on receipt of proof of payment of all qualifying and approved expenses.

Projects eligible for support include:

·Businesses engaged in manufacturing

·Internationally traded services

·Innovative projects

Companies seeking financial support must be located in County Meathand have less than 10 employees.

They also must:

·be in the commercial sphere

·be capable of attaining economic viability

·demonstrate a market for their proposed product / service

·have the necessary management and technical skills

·have capacity for growth and job creation

Web Development Grants 2010

Meath County Enterprise Board is making available website development funding for small businesses. The grant is designed to part-fund the cost of creating or developing a commercial web presence by an Irish software development company.

Grant Terms

·Grant covers 50% of eligible costs up to a Max of €1,500. (excl. VAT)

·Only Third Party costs qualify i.e. cost of work you have commissioned others to do.

·Only websites that include an e-commerce functionality (i.e. the ability to purchase products or services online) qualify for assistance.

·Expenditure incurred prior to grant approval is ineligible

·All applications are subject to evaluation and priority will be given to applicants who do not currently have a web presence.

Selection criteria includes

·Commercialisation of the business through the Web; Export Potential; Quality of the proposal and support eligibility of the Enterprise Board.

·As the number of grants available is limited early applications are advised and the Board’s decision in the matter shall be final.

Projects eligible for support include: