By Beverly Rademacher

Copyright expressandstar

The 2025/26 Dudley SME Grant Programme, which is backed by central government, is now open for small to medium sized enterprises and is offering grants of up to £100,000.

The scheme is open to businesses that have been trading for 12 months or more to improve productivity, enter new markets, launch new products or implement new processes.

More than £500,000 of funding is available. Eligible businesses will be able to apply for capital grants of £2,500 to £100,000. Businesses will need to match fund the grants by at least 50 per cent.

In 2024/25, more than £1.1m was awarded to Dudley businesses through the Dudley SME Grant.

Tyre specialist, Kingswinford Tyres, secured a £27,000 grant to help buy and install a robotic tyre fitting machine and a road force elite wheel balancer.

The state-of-the-art technology means the business can safely and efficiently deliver a service for high performance and luxury cars, such as Rolls-Royces, Ferraris, Aston Martins and Bentleys.

Councillor Simon Phipps, the council’s cabinet member for economy and infrastructure, said: “It was great to meet the team at Kingswinford Tyres and to learn more about how the SME grant has supported the important work they do.

“The Dudley SME Grant Programme is now open to small and medium sized borough businesses, and I would encourage any eligible businesses to find out more and take the chance to apply for this support.”

Before applying for a grant, businesses will need to complete a business diagnostic with Business Growth West Midlands in Dudley.

Growth advisers will support businesses to prepare growth action plans, develop their investment projects and access funding opportunities.

For more information, people can contact Dudley Business First by emailing info@dudleybusinessfirst.org.uk or calling 01384 812001.