Thirteen Powys companies were helped to expand or secure their future in the last six months thanks to Growth Grants from the county council.

They are involved in a wide range of activities from house building to brewing and all received sums of between £1,000 and £25,000 after a total of nearly £1.1 million was secured by the council, from the UK Government, via the Shared Prosperity Fund.

The money, which can also be claimed by businesses looking to move to Powys, is still available under a second round of the scheme.

This round will remain open until the pot of £950,000 has been fully allocated. Applications are being considered on a first-come-first-served basis, subject to approval.

The 13 companies that were successful in round one were:

Airflo Fishing Products, Brecon: helped to buy a used climate testing chamber for testing fishing products, like fly lines, instead of renting one.
Andy’s Bread, Llanidloes: helped to buy a new fan oven so, the business can produce more fresh sweet pastries and savoury products.
Antur Brew Co (Van Dijk Brewing), Crickhowell: helped to buy four 1,000 litre fermentation tanks and to install a new brewery floor.
As You See It Media, Llangattock: helped to buy LiveU equipment to use when live-streaming events to overcome issues with poor internet connectivity.
CME Developments, Ystradgynlais: helped to buy containers and canopies to create covered workspaces, electric plant and machinery to add to its hire fleet and computer software.
Custom Marine Developments (CMD), Abermule: helped to buy a design data management system for its team of computer-aided-design (CAD) engineers to use.
Fedw Equestrian Centre, Trecastle: helped to buy new equipment, a website and training to diversify into becoming a laser tag venue, Laser Tag Wales.
Gloversure, Welshpool: helped to buy computer equipment and servers for a new team of staff working on a sub-brand targeted at the construction sector.
Montgomeryshire Homes, Welshpool: helped to buy GPS and computer equipment so it can carry out its own site surveys and draft its own site plans.
Plas Dolguog, Machynlleth: helped to carry out refurbishment work to increase capacity to five bedrooms and create a safe storage area for outdoor pursuits equipment.
Quality Pipe Supports, Newtown: helped to buy an automatic pressure feed blaster to free up time for more skilled tasks.
Rural Foodies (Coco Pzazz), Llanidloes: helped to buy new equipment for heating and cooling chocolate to increase production capacity.
Tuscan Foundry Products, Llanafan Fawr: helped to buy a new high lift access platform for carrying out guttering and pipe inspections.

“I’m delighted that we were able to support this baker’s dozen of businesses from right across Powys during round one,” said Cllr David Selby, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys, “this investment has helped to create 12 new full time and three part time jobs, and to safeguard 19 full time and five part time roles.

“We want to help businesses in the county, and those that want to move here, at all stages of development to sustain, grow and innovate, including through local networks, and are looking forward to helping many more in round two.”

The money can be used to help fund capital schemes and one-off revenue projects but cannot be used to cover usual running costs.