How can you fund investments for a shop or craft business in Bar-sur-Aube?

Key points

The CCRB’s official page announces aid of 25% excluding tax of eligible expenses, capped at €15,000. The investment must reach at least €7,500 excluding tax, the business must be based in the territory, and the project must not start before the local authority’s decision. The full regulation should be consulted to check the exclusions and the required documents.

The CCRB’s economic role

The Communauté de communes de la Région de Bar-sur-Aube supports local economic activity and presents aid for economic players, a LEADER programme, and business incubation solutions via Servipôle. For a commercial or craft business, the most directly relevant scheme in the reference database is the aid for shopkeepers and craftspeople. The CCRB’s economic department is the contact point to confirm filing arrangements and the status of the funding envelope.

Aid for shopkeepers and craftspeople: amount and conditions

The official page presents a grant corresponding to 25% excluding tax of the eligible amount, up to a limit of €15,000. The project must be carried out within the CCRB’s territory, the business must be registered with the Répertoire des Métiers or the Registre du Commerce et des Sociétés, be up to date on its tax and social obligations, hold the necessary regulatory permits and present a project linked to its activity. The total investment cannot be less than €7,500 excluding tax, and the project’s overall funding must not exceed 80% in grants. The page also states that the project must not be carried out before the CCRB’s decision.

What investments are covered?

The scheme targets in particular shopfront renovation, securing premises as part of a wider project, modernising craft business premises, and investments linked to health standards, productivity or increased capacity. Certain construction equipment and food trucks may be reviewed under certain conditions. The page excludes in particular the purchase of land, walls, premises or a business (fonds de commerce), structural work, outdoor landscaping, IT equipment that is not a production tool, software and office equipment, stock, and certain vehicles. The full list of non-eligible expenses must be checked in the applicable regulation.

Which businesses may be eligible?

The official page targets micro and small commercial, craft and service businesses registered with the appropriate register, up to date on their contributions and presenting a project directly linked to their activity. Several activities are excluded, including certain regulated professions, financial services and insurance, farming activities, shops exclusively selling tobacco, telecoms retail, and shops with a sales floor area over 150 m², according to the published conditions. Special cases, exceptions and the current version of the regulation must be confirmed with the CCRB before filing.

How do you prepare an application?

1. Check that the establishment and the project are located within the CCRB’s territory. 2. Precisely describe the investments and their link to the activity. 3. Gather detailed quotes, proof of registration and tax and social certificates. 4. Contact the CCRB to obtain the file and the rules applicable at the time of the request. 5. File the application and wait for the decision before carrying out the project. 6. Check the rules on combining with other public aid and budget availability.

Another option: the Côte des Bar LEADER programme

The CCRB also presents the 2023-2027 LEADER programme, run jointly with the Barséquanais territory. It can support innovative projects that fit the local strategy, in particular in tourism, culture and heritage, the circular economy, or social cohesion and independent living. The published criteria require in particular a presence within the territory, demonstrated innovation and public co-funding. This is a separate scheme with its own review process: it does not replace the local aid for shopkeepers and craftspeople.

Points of caution

The 25% rate and the €15,000 cap are those shown on the official page consulted; they do not guarantee that an application will be accepted or that funds will be available. The project must not start before the CCRB’s decision. Check the eligible expenses, exclusions, permits, combination rules and the exact current procedure. For LEADER, contact the Côte des Bar Local Action Group (GAL) to confirm whether the project fits the local strategy.

Frequently asked questions

Q. What is the amount of the aid for shopkeepers and craftspeople? A. The CCRB offers a grant of 25% excluding tax of eligible expenses, capped at €15,000, subject to conditions.

Q. What is the minimum investment? A. The official page indicates a minimum total investment of €7,500 excluding tax.

Q. Can work start before the decision? A. No: the page states that the project must not be carried out before the CCRB’s decision.

Q. Are software or roofing work eligible? A. The page lists them among the exclusions, subject to the exceptions and details set out in the regulation.

Q. Can the LEADER programme fund a different project? A. It can cover innovative projects that fit the local strategy and are co-funded by public aid. Contact the GAL to confirm the criteria.

Official sources

• Aid for shopkeepers and craftspeople — Communauté de communes de la Région de Bar-sur-Aube
• Aid for economic players — CCRB
• Côte des Bar LEADER programme 2023-2027 — CCRB / GAL Côte des Bar
• Initiative Aube honour loan — Initiative Aube