The Business Gateway Rural Development/Start Grant will cease as of 10th February 2011. This small grant (averaging £1200 in Sutherland) helped to create some 30 businesses in this County in 2010 and will be missed. It was, however, always a temporary measure; much appreciated in the rural areas of the Highland Region.
Applications in the pipeline will be honoured.
Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust support remains unchanged but Highland Opportunity loans will be "rationed" according to the availability of funds.
This is the first of several changes to our portfolio which will occur over the next few weeks and reflects the current pressure on local authority budgets.
