Financial assistance to help businesses retain key skills and plan for growth

Businesses in the Northern Ireland face significant challenges in the current economic climate. Many are experiencing difficulties in securing the viability of their businesses.

To help alleviate these pressures, Invest NI launched a £15 million Short Term Aid Scheme on 1st June to provide eligible businesses with financial assistance to enable the retention of key staff while businesses plan, and where necessary, restructure for the future so they are ready to take advantage of the upturn.

When is it available?
The Short Term Aid Scheme is avaiable to eligible business from 1st June 2009 until 31st December 2010.

What do you get?
The maximum support available per business is €500,000 (approximately £450,000 at current exchange rates) less any other De-Minimis Aid offered in the period 1st January 2008 until 31st December 2010.

What can I use it for?
The support is designed to enable businesses to plan or restructure for the future - investing in key areas such as sales, marketing, management, finance, training and human resources.

Who can apply?
The Short Term Aid Scheme is open to small, medium and large businesses in the manufacturing and tradeable services sectors which were not in difficulty prior to 1st July 2008 and which, altough fundamentally viable, are experiencing short term difficulties.

How can you apply?
Your business can apply for the Short Term Aid Scheme by submitting an application form to Invest NI. You can download the application form, guidance notes and a list of FAQ's by visiting www.investni.com/stas

What to do next?
If you are not currently an Invest NI client, please contact one of Invest NI's Business Development Managers, depending on your location, to discuss your eligibility for the scheme:

North West, North East and East
David Bradshaw
T: 028 9069 8192
E: david.bradshaw@investni.com

South, West and East
Trevor Kerr
T: 028 9069 8913
E: trevor.kerr@investni.com

To identify your nearest Invest NI Regional Office, please visit the link below:
www.investni.com/contactus

To obtain more information, click on the link below
Invest Northern Ireland, Short Term Aid Scheme (128KB)