Buckinghamshire Council launches new Growth Fund to boost the county’s economy ​

The Buckinghamshire Growth Fund is a direct outcome of Buckinghamshire’s Economic Growth Plan, adopted by the Council in September 2025. The Plan sets out a clear ambition to grow the local economy by 2% per year by increasing labour productivity, matching skills to opportunity, and supporting the creation of well‑paid jobs. The Growth Fund has been designed specifically to help local businesses and partners deliver this ambition.

The Fund is made possible through the success of Buckinghamshire’s Enterprise Zones, the fastest‑growing employment areas in the county, at Silverstone, Woodlands (Aylesbury) and Westcott.  These areas are home to some of the county’s most innovative and rapidly expanding businesses and their growth generates further funds to the Council to enable reinvestment into wider economic development across Buckinghamshire.

The Fund is made possible through business rates receipts generated within three of Buckinghamshire’s fastest‑growing employment areas—the Enterprise Zones at Silverstone, Westcott and Woodlands (Aylesbury). These areas are home to some of the county’s most innovative and rapidly expanding businesses, and their growth now enables the Council to reinvest in wider economic development across Buckinghamshire.

Example project types include, but are not limited to:

• development of commercial, innovation or workspace
• site enabling or infrastructure works
• research and development
• skills and training programmes aligned to employer need
• business support and growth activity
• low‑carbon and clean growth initiatives that strengthen long‑term resilience

Projects that strongly support the Buckinghamshire Economic Growth Plan and its five priorities—high‑value sectors, place and infrastructure, skills, innovation and partnership working—will score highest and have the best chance of securing funding.

Leader of Buckinghamshire Council, Steven Broadbent, said:

“We’re pleased to open the Buckinghamshire Growth Fund for applications. This new investment opportunity is a direct result of our Economic Growth Plan and the success of businesses based in our Enterprise Zones. Their growth is helping us reinvest in jobs, innovation and long‑term prosperity across the county.

This is a great opportunity for organisations to bring forward bold, investment‑ready projects that can raise productivity, boost skills, support innovation and help deliver sustained economic growth in Buckinghamshire. We have world‑class businesses and exceptional talent here, and this Fund will help unlock new opportunities for our communities and our economy.”

Applications are open to:businesseseducation and research organisationscharities and not‑for‑profit organisationspublic sector bodiesApplicants must have operated in Buckinghamshire for at least 12 months.High‑scoring EOIs will be invited to develop a full business case at the next stage.How to applyOrganisations should visit this following link to find out more:Buckinghamshire Growth Fund – open call for Expressions of Interest | Buckinghamshire CouncilThe Council’s Economy & Investment Team can provide support and reasonable adjustments where needed.Applications are open to:

• businesses
• education and research organisations
• charities and not‑for‑profit organisations
• public sector bodies

Applicants must have operated in Buckinghamshire for at least 12 months.

High‑scoring EOIs will be invited to develop a full business case at the next stage.

Organisations should visit this following link to find out more:Buckinghamshire Growth Fund – open call for Expressions of Interest | Buckinghamshire CouncilThe Council’s Economy & Investment Team can provide support and reasonable adjustments where needed.

Organisations should visit this following link to find out more:

Buckinghamshire Growth Fund – open call for Expressions of Interest | Buckinghamshire Council

The council’s Economy & Investment Team can provide support and reasonable adjustments where needed.