The opening of the new call for grants for the economic diversification of territories within the Principality of Asturias, supporting SMEs and large companies, is expected in January

The opening of the NEW CALL for grants for the economic diversification of territories within the Principality of ASTURIAS, supporting SMEs and large companies, is expected in JANUARY. This funding is aimed at business investment projects that facilitate the industrial transition towards a green and digital economy, that generate economic activity, or that involve diversification, modernization, or restructuring.

Below is a summary of the main characteristics of these grants:

PROGRAMME PURPOSE

• Support business investment projects that facilitate the industrial transition towards a green and digital economy.
• Economic diversification and business adaptability.
• Population retention.
• Creation or maintenance of employment, prioritizing the following groups: women, young people, people with disabilities, and those over 45 years of age.

BENEFICIARIES

• SMEs and large companies whose eligible project is carried out in the Principality of Asturias.

PROJECT TYPES

• Business projects that generate economic activity or involve diversification, modernization, or restructuring within the Principality of Asturias.
  • For SMEs: Initial investment:
  1. A) Investment in tangible and intangible assets related to the setting up of a new establishment, the expansion of the capacity of an existing establishment, the diversification of an establishment’s production into products or services not previously produced or provided there, or a fundamental change in the overall production process.
  2. B) Acquisition of assets belonging to an establishment that has closed, or would have closed had it not been acquired (replacement investment does not constitute initial investment).
  • For large companies: Initial investment creating a new economic activity:
  1. A) Investment in tangible and intangible assets related to the setting up of a new establishment, or the diversification of an establishment’s activity, provided that the new activity is not identical or similar to the activity previously carried out in the establishment.
  2. B) Acquisition of assets belonging to an establishment that has closed, or would have closed had it not been acquired, provided that the new activity to be carried out using the acquired assets is not identical or similar to the activity carried out in the establishment prior to the acquisition.

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

• Eligible sectors of activity include those promoted by Industry, Industrial Support Services, and activities related to e-commerce. Pending publication of the Call to determine whether eligible activities will be expanded in certain municipalities.
• STEP projects for large companies must support the development or manufacture of key technologies related to: digital technologies, clean and resource-efficient technologies, or biotechnologies.
• Maintenance of permanent jobs existing at the company’s work centers in Asturias as of the application date, throughout the investment project and for the 3 years following its completion.
• For large companies:

1. Creation of a minimum of 5 direct jobs (jobs during the construction phase are not counted).
2. Maximum ratio of up to €80,000 in public aid per job created.
3. Maintenance of the created employment level, plus the existing workforce (based on the average of the previous twelve months), for a minimum of 5 years.

• Minimum financial contribution of 25% of the eligible investment, from own resources, free of public aid.

ELIGIBLE COSTS

• Investment in tangible assets: land (max. 10% of the budget) and site development, civil works, buildings, facilities, machinery and equipment; intangible assets: patents, licenses, technical know-how, or other intellectual property rights; and project engineering and technical direction (max. 8% of the civil works budget + equipment and facilities).
• Industrial sector and industrial support services: The maximum eligible surface area for land and site development cannot exceed 5 times the ground floor built area.
• Industrial sector: The eligible amount for land and site development + civil works/buildings will be a maximum of 70% of the total eligible investment.
• Intangible assets: For large companies: up to 50% of total eligible investment costs will be eligible. For SMEs: 100% will be eligible.

TYPE AND INTENSITY OF SUPPORT

• Maximum non-repayable grant: 35% for small companies, 25% for medium-sized companies, and 15% for large companies.

• Gross grant amount: To be established in the annual Call.

MORE INFORMATION.

Competitive bidding process.

Incentive effect.

Single justification report due three months after project completion.

The Regulatory Bases were published in the BOPA on 14/11/24 – Call pending publication.

12/20/2024