RSA is based on the eligible fixed capital costs of the project and on the number of jobs the project is expected to create or safeguard. The level of grant is not paid at a fixed rate - it is a discretionary grant and any payment is negotiated on the basis of the minimum needed for the project to proceed. All manufacturing industries (except those subject to special European Union restrictions) and some service sector projects are eligible. Certain criteria must be fulfilled before assistance can be offered:- • Viability - The Company and the project must be viable • Need - Companies must show that they need assistance in order to proceed with the project • Regional/National Benefit - The project should contribute to both the wider regional and national economy. Service sector projects serving only the local economy do not generally qualify. Adverse effects on employment in existing companies are also taken into account. • Private Finance - The project must attract most of its funds from the private sector sources of funding. • Employment - The project must create new or safeguard existing jobs. The jobs and assets in a project have to be maintained for a certain time after the project has been completed. The grant maybe recoverable if employment falls below planned levels or assets are sold. |
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