Inter-Island Business Development Scheme

If you are a business that trades, or is considering trading, across the sounds of Harris or Barra, you may be eligible to develop your business under this scheme. It has been a long-standing aspiration of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to provide an excellent transport infrastructure that links the island chain and drives business and economic development between the islands.

Objectives and Assistance

The overall objective of the proposed scheme is clear and can be summarised as follows:

• to support economic and business development in the Outer Hebrides by stimulating and increasing business between the three main islands groupings.

The key principles that will underpin the operation of the scheme can be summarised as follows:

• the scheme objectives will be achieved by assisting “end-user” business costs by reducing / removing the premium businesses are required to pay as a result of high transport costs
• assistance is not a transport subsidy and as such is not open to transport providers or haulage businesses
• Grant assistance can only be provided on the additional ferry usage expected to be undertaken, and will not be provided towards existing levels of usage
• assistance will be provided on a de minimis basis

The normal level of support is 30%

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for the scheme will be as follows:

• The scheme is open to private-sector businesses operating in the Outer Hebrides
• Commercial ferry rates must apply (light vans exceeding 5 metres in length, or 3.5 T., 3 metres in height, or 2.3 metres in width are charged at commercial vehicle rates)
• Businesses will require to be registered with the scheme
• Businesses will require to participate in scheme monitoring and evaluation in order fully identify overall economic impacts (e.g. additional trade / value / FTEs, multiplier effects, etc.)

Expressions of interest should, in the first instance, be submitted to Business Advantage

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