Small and medium sized businesses affected by flooding in Cumbria are again being invited to come forward and apply for flood recovery grants.
The Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership and Cumbria County Council say a total of £5million is available.
Graham Haywood, director of Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “The Local Enterprise Partnership and Cumbria County Council are working with Cumbria Business Growth Hub to make sure that businesses have easy ways to access funds.
“There are a lot of people out there who may be entitled to grants and who have not applied yet, and we do not want anyone to miss out on a grant that would help their business recover.
“The grant application process is straightforward, so I would strongly encourage businesses that have been affected by flooding to contact the Growth Hub and apply for these grants.”
Small and medium sized businesses, that have up to 250 full-time employees, and that were severely affected by the flooding, either directly or indirectly, can claim grants of up to £10,000.
Alison Hatcher, Senior Manager Economic Development and Planning at Cumbria County Council, said: “We are working closely with Government to ensure that funds are available for economic recovery.
“Cumbria Business Growth Hub provides a single point of contact for business advice and support, so that we can get money out to businesses as quickly as possible and assist their recovery.”
Businesses that were not flooded but have been severely affected are also eligible for grants, for example, where bridge and road closures have led to a reduction in customers.
Grants are available for a wide range of activities to help clean-up and recovery, including paying for advice from professionals such as accountants, architects, designers and IT experts.
Grants can also be used to train staff, for example to use new equipment or implement new processes, and to pay for expertise to implement a marketing plan, including recreating customer records and other practical marketing activities.
Businesses can also apply for Interest Relief on borrowing and set up costs, other revenue expenditure and help with staff training.
The grants can be accessed by contacting Cumbria Growth Hub on 0844 257 8450 or clicking here.
Support for farming businesses is being offered separately by Defra, and details can be found here.
Farmers wanting further advice on their application can call the Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301.
The final date for applications is 28th February 2016 and all final claims must be submitted by 31st December 2016.
Commenting on the funding for farmers, South Lakes MP Tim Farron said: "Having visited many local farmers since Storm Desmond first hit, it is very clear that they have been incredibly badly hit by the floods. I am pleased that the government has decided to offer this much-needed support to farmers.
"However, the government’s current plans to stop funding the Lyth Valley drainage pumps in June will leave many local farmers in a precarious situation, and I will do all I can to push the government to continue funding this after June."