Small businesses in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire are being urged to apply for grant funding to help them through the coronavirus crisis.
Nationally, of the £12.3 billion made available for the Small Business Grant Fund, only 50% has been applied for and allocated to businesses.
That means there are still many businesses that are yet to apply and take advantage of the scheme.
Now, the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership is encouraging small businesses in Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire to contact their local authorities to apply.
Following the unprecedented impact of Covid-19 on individuals and businesses, in March, the Government announced a package of relief measures to help impacted businesses.
These measures included the Small Business Grant Fund, which is managed by local authorities and provides up to £10,000 as a one-off grant to help small business owners meet their operating costs.
Businesses which are eligible need to have been in receipt of small business rate relief or rural rate relief on March 11.
Small businesses whose premises have a rateable value between £12,000 and £15,000 and receive tapered relief also qualify.
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Eligible businesses can submit their application online. Once a claim has been made, local authorities are working as quickly as possible to process the grants and payment will be made as soon as possible to support businesses.
Sajeeda Rose, chief executive of the D2N2 LEP, said: “Our local authorities are working extremely hard to get money out and into the bank accounts of our businesses.
“We know that this is a lifeline for so many of our local people and communities, helping people pay rent or staffing costs.
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“We are conscious that there are still a number of businesses who haven’t applied for the grants.
“Our local authorities are identifying those businesses and trying to contact them directly.
“However, if you think you are eligible, we’d encourage you to apply directly to your local billing authority.”