The Growing Places Infrastructure Fund (GPIF) is an £12.17m loan fund, providing investments to companies in Swindon and Wiltshire to use towards capital elements of projects. As a guide, we usually seek projects requiring loans from £150,000 to circa £2m

Investments will focus on projects that:

  • Deliver sustainable economic growth within Swindon and Wiltshire
  • Meet strategic objectives in our Local Industrial Strategy
  • Currently cannot be developed due to infrastructure or commercial constraints
  • Can proceed quickly
  • Can be repaid in around 3 to 4 years 

We can fund pre-revenue companies and those with no security, but this increased level of risk will be reflected in a higher interest rate. The SWLEP will pay regard to the ‘value for money’ the investment represents and take into account the following:

  •  Level of investment per new job
  •  Level of private investment leveraged
  •  Pace of delivery of the ‘outputs’
  •  Certainty and timing of repayments

Application Process

Stage 1

The on-line application form and supplementary details will initially be assessed by the Loan Fund Working Group. It decides if a project is put forward to the SWBGU GPIF Working Group. A pdf version of the form is also available for applicants to review all the questions before completing the form.

In addition to the on-line application form, we require:

  • Business Plan
  • Cashflow forecast

Also, if available:

  • Previous three years audited accounts
  • Details of security on offer
  • Details of other lending arrangements

 Companies have to be compliant with EU ‘State Aid’ regulations.

Stage 2

The recommendations of the Loan Working Group will be considered by the SWBGU Section 151 Officer. This decision is final.

For further details about the GPIF Programme please email [email protected]