Low-emission vehicles eligible for a plug-in grant
You can get a discount on the price of brand new low-emission vehicles through a grant the government gives to vehicle dealerships and manufactures.
Zero emission vehicles eligible for a grant (gov.uk)
Made Smarter
Manufacturing and engineering SMEs in the West Midlands can access tailored support through this programme, helping them adopt new digital technologies to boost productivity and efficiency.
The scheme offers specialist advice, a personalised digital action plan, and up to 50% match funding (up to £20,000) for equipment or expert support. It also includes Digital Transformation Workshops and an exclusive Leadership Development Course.
Boosting manufacturing in the West Midlands (madesmarter.uk)
Scale Up Staffordshire
Scale Up Staffordshire is a new programme designed to support ambitious SMEs that have been operating for three years or more and are Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent based, or preparing to relocate here.
The programme offers interest free loans (subject to status) to help businesses invest in key capital improvements that drive growth, productivity, cost reduction and efficiency.
What is on offer:
- 80% loan (20% must be self-funded)
- £5,000 up to £100,000 loans
- 2 to 4 year payback period
- interest free
- no administration fee
- projects for capital purchases only
Eligibility criteria:
- must be based in or relocating to Staffordshire or Stoke-on-Trent
- must be trading for at least 3 years
- is an SME (an SME is any organisation that has more than one or fewer than 250 employees and a turnover of less than €50 million or a balance sheet total less than €43 million)
- does not receive public funding to operate
- has not received over £315,000 in loans in the current and previous two financial years
- can be identified as not ‘ailing or insolvent’ at the time of application - a financial check, through CreditSafe, will be carried out
- must have a minimum 2-year payback period
- for projects that involve changes to the fabric, fixtures, or fittings of a building, the business must either own the property or hold a lease with at least 2 years remaining
Eligible projects:
Projects that can be supported are listed below under four themes which support growth, efficiency, productivity and cost reductions. For capital purchases only:
- site development
- energy efficiency upgrades
- equipment purchases and upgrades
- productivity boosting improvements
To express your interest please email scaleup@staffordshire.gov.uk.
Scale Up Staffordshire (sben.co.uk)
Staffordshire Business and Environment Network (SBEN)
Funding and Support (sben.co.uk)
Green Suppliers Directory
The Green Suppliers Directory, developed with funding from Innovate UK, is celebrating a successful second year, featuring more than 110 green suppliers from across Staffordshire.
Designed to help residents and organisations connect with nearby businesses offering sustainable goods and services, the directory aims to reduce travel distances and encourage local sourcing.
By spotlighting Staffordshire‑based suppliers, the initiative is also playing an important role in strengthening the county’s green economy, supporting jobs, and keeping investment within the area.
Improving Green Spaces
Through this pilot, funded by Staffordshire County Council, fifteen businesses will be selected to receive up to £1,000, enabling them to create a new green space or make meaningful improvements to existing green spaces on their site.
Participants will also receive expert advisory sessions to help shape their project, ensuring each green space maximises benefits to wildlife, visual appeal, and positive impact for staff and visitors.
The project aims to target underused, unkept, sites with little or no planting, or poor biodiversity value. The project will support the transformation of these spaces to maximise benefits.
The Tracker Tool
The Tracker tool is a free online data monitoring and reporting tool that enables Staffordshire organisations to measure:
- energy use
- fuel use
- travel
- water consumption
- waste and energy generation
Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS)
To provide eligible applicants with support towards the upfront costs of the purchase and installation of EV chargepoints.