Creating, taking over and growing a business in the Pays d’Uzerche

Funder

CC du Pays d’Uzerche

Number of grants recorded

13 grants in the Capital OS reference database

Verification status

In-depth review of the general scheme and the official guide; individual verification of the criteria, openings and funding availability to be confirmed before application.

Local technical and financial support

The local authority offers to meet project leaders and refer them to the appropriate organisations: CCI, CMA, BGE, Airelle, Initiative Corrèze or France Active. On the financial side, it states that it signed an agreement with the Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine in 2024 enabling it to contribute to financing local business projects. The grants are mainly linked to investments, for example the purchase of equipment or the renovation of premises.

Who may be concerned?

The official website cites retail, crafts, tourism, certain farming businesses and medical professions. Conditions vary depending on the scheme: location or establishment in the area, financial health, the activity carried out as the main occupation, turnover or expenditure thresholds, the requirement to maintain the investment, and sector exclusions. It is therefore necessary to examine the regulation corresponding to the targeted grant.

The 13 grants recorded in the catalogue

The names and parameters presented below come from the internal reference database. The official practical guide and the intervention regulation must remain the final references for eligible expenses, rates, caps, supporting documents, combination rules and timetable.

Actions Collectives de Proximité (ACP)

ID 11935 — Reference database amount: Grant representing 30% of eligible expenses, up to a limit of €22,500.

Purpose

Reduce residential and commercial vacancy as well as the impact of empty shopfronts in town centres and village centres; Support the investment dynamics of shopkeepers, particularly in the food and catering sectors, in connection with tourism and the local population, Manage commercial development on the outskirts and support municipal policies to strengthen local shops in town centres and village centres.

Eligible expenses

• Food sector businesses in village centres:

Works: shopfront renovation, accessibility upgrades, interior fitting-out; Purchase of equipment (production, digital, etc.); Purchase and fitting-out of delivery/round vehicles.

• Food sector businesses on markets/rounds:

Purchase of equipment (production, digital, etc.); Purchase and fitting-out of delivery/round vehicles.

• Hygiene-beauty sector businesses:

Works: shopfront renovation, accessibility upgrades, interior fitting-out; Purchase of equipment (production, digital, etc.).

• Cafés-restaurants and tobacconist-newsagents:

Works: shopfront renovation, accessibility upgrades, interior fitting-out; Purchase of equipment (production, digital, etc.).

Beneficiaries / conditions

• Food sector businesses (bakery-pastry, butchery-delicatessen-catering, general grocery, cheesemonger, wine cellar, greengrocer) located:

in the village centres of central hubs; in village centres outside central hubs; on markets/rounds.

• Hygiene-beauty sector businesses (hairdresser, beautician, perfumery) located:

in the village centres of central hubs; in village centres outside central hubs.

• Cafés-restaurants and tobacconist-newsagents across the whole area.

Grant for business promotion actions

ID 11924 — Reference database amount: Grant representing 20% of eligible expenses, up to a limit of €3,000. A beneficiary may not submit two applications for an economic grant within the same calendar year. A beneficiary may not submit an application under the same scheme in the year following the award of a first economic grant. %mini%

Purpose

Help local businesses gain visibility by taking part in trade shows or any event likely to promote their activities outside the area. This scheme can be used until 30 June 2029.

Eligible expenses

Expenses linked to taking part in an event with at least regional scope. Not eligible:

participation in markets; food, transport or accommodation costs.

Beneficiaries / conditions

Businesses carrying out the following activities:

Commercial activities (retail and wholesale); Craft activities; Vehicle maintenance and repair activities in a workshop; Tourism activities carried out as the main occupation; Social and solidarity economy activities; Activity carried out by a franchised business.

Ineligible business types:

Real estate civil company (SCI); Regulated professions (SCP, SEL, etc.); Micro-business where the micro-entrepreneur does not carry out the economic activity as their main occupation; Association without an economic purpose; Businesses in difficulty.

Ineligible activities:

Financial and insurance activities; Legal activities (lawyers, bailiffs, notaries, etc.); Expert appraisal activities; Administrative service activities (training organisations, accounting firms, independent practitioners in HR or accounting, etc.); Tourist accommodation activities not carried out as the main occupation; Land rental activities; Activities relating to the transport of people and goods by motor vehicle (driving schools, freight hauliers, vehicle rental, taxis, etc.); Medical and paramedical activities not listed in the ADELI directory, or health professionals without an RPPS number; Activities that, more broadly, do not have an economic purpose.

Grant for social and solidarity economy businesses

ID 11930 — Reference database amount: Grant representing 30% of eligible expenses, up to a limit of €6,000. A beneficiary may not submit two applications for an economic grant within the same calendar year. A beneficiary may not submit an application under the same scheme in the year following the award of a first economic grant. %mini%

Purpose

Provide financial support to social and solidarity economy (SSE) businesses in creating or developing their activity. This scheme can be used until 30 June 2029.

Eligible expenses

• Expenses linked to fitting out or renovating a building, and more broadly all finishing works (flooring, partitions, electrics, plumbing, shopfront, window display, etc.);
• Expenses for the purchase of new or second-hand production equipment. The equipment must have a unit cost of €100 excluding VAT or more. The purchase of second-hand equipment is eligible provided that:

it is sold by a professional (provision of proper quotes and invoices); the seller provides a document certifying that the equipment complies with applicable standards and has not already benefited from a public grant.

Not eligible: structural works relating to the building's structure itself (foundations, load-bearing walls, columns, etc.).

Beneficiaries / conditions

Commercial and craft activities falling within the scope of the SSE because they share several of its founding principles, such as:

democratic governance (elected officers, the "1 person = 1 vote" principle, etc.); strong local roots; the social usefulness of the project (the interest of the activity is always collective and takes precedence over personal interest and profit-seeking); the diversity and blending of resources; the fair distribution of surpluses; etc.

Ineligible business types:

Ineligible activities:

Grant for businesses running an eco-responsible project

ID 11928 — Reference database amount: Grant representing 30% of eligible expenses, up to a limit of €6,000. A beneficiary may not submit two applications for an economic grant within the same calendar year. A beneficiary may not submit an application under the same scheme in the year following the award of a first economic grant. %mini%

Purpose

Encourage businesses to consider their investments in relation to their environmental impact, in particular to reduce their energy consumption or their impact on natural environments. This scheme can be used until 30 June 2029.

Eligible expenses

• Expenses linked to the energy renovation of business premises: replacement of windows/doors, insulation, change of heating system, etc.;

• Expenses for the purchase of new or second-hand production equipment that is more environmentally friendly, allowing for example a substantial improvement in energy consumption. The equipment must have a unit cost of €100 excluding VAT or more. The purchase of second-hand equipment is eligible provided that:

• Equipment and real estate investments (excluding structural works and the purchase of buildings) forming part of an overall project relating in particular to the circular economy or waste recovery.

Beneficiaries / conditions

Retail, craft and tourism businesses.

Ineligible business types:

Ineligible activities:

Grant for businesses setting up in a vacant premises in a village centre

ID 11929 — Reference database amount: Grant representing 30% of eligible expenses, up to a limit of €6,000. A beneficiary may not submit two applications for an economic grant within the same calendar year. A beneficiary may not submit an application under the same scheme in the year following the award of a first economic grant. %mini%

Purpose

Tackle commercial vacancy, specifically in village centres, by encouraging the sale or letting of vacant premises with a view to their enhancement and the creation of a new activity within them. This scheme can be used until 30 June 2029.

Eligible expenses

Expenses linked to fitting out or renovating a building, and more broadly all finishing works (flooring, partitions, electrics, plumbing, shopfront, window display, etc.). Not eligible: structural works relating to the building's structure itself (foundations, load-bearing walls, columns, etc.).

Beneficiaries / conditions

Retail, craft and tourism businesses setting up in a premises that has been vacant in a village centre for at least one year. SCIs (real estate civil companies) are eligible under certain conditions:

Where the SCI owns a commercial premises for which it has already found a potential tenant, a commercial or professional lease of at least 3 years must exist, binding the owner SCI and the business renting the premises. If the activity lasts less than three years and no other activity occupies the premises within 6 months, the local authority may request repayment of all or part of the grant. Where the SCI is linked to the commercial activity to be carried out in the premises because it has the same manager, the business or entrepreneur benefiting from the premises must be the majority shareholder of the SCI, and the premises must be allocated to carrying out the business's activities. Where the SCI owns a vacant commercial premises that it intends to let, but for which it does not yet have a tenant, it will not be required to present a commercial lease initially. However, the owner must undertake to do everything possible to find a tenant and prove that it is seeking a tenant business, before the grant is paid. In this case, only investments relating to "general" aspects (compliance upgrades, shopfront, sign removal, etc.) will be eligible. The commercial lease must be presented once the tenant business has been found.

Ineligible business types:

Regulated professions (SCP, SEL, etc.); Micro-business where the micro-entrepreneur does not carry out the economic activity as their main occupation; Association without an economic purpose; Businesses in difficulty.

Ineligible activities:

Grant for businesses with a high territorial impact

ID 11926 — Reference database amount: Grant representing 30% of eligible expenses, up to a limit of €6,000. A beneficiary may not submit two applications for an economic grant within the same calendar year. A beneficiary may not submit an application under the same scheme in the year following the award of a first economic grant. %mini%

Purpose

Increase business performance and enable businesses to adapt to digital developments that affect their activity or the management of their business. This scheme can be used until 30 June 2029.

Eligible expenses

Projects run by high-potential businesses. A project will be considered as being run by a high-potential business in particular where:

it consists of creating an innovative activity, or one with no equivalent in the territory of the Communauté de communes du Pays d’Uzerche; it enables the creation of several jobs; it enables the creation of a local commercial activity that does not currently exist in the host municipality; etc.

Eligible expenses:

• Expenses linked to fitting out or renovating a building, and more broadly all finishing works (flooring, partitions, electrics, plumbing, shopfront, window display, etc.).
• Expenses for the purchase of new or second-hand production equipment. The equipment must have a unit cost of €100 excluding VAT or more. The purchase of second-hand equipment is eligible provided that:

Not eligible: structural works relating to the building's structure itself (foundations, load-bearing walls, columns, etc.)

Beneficiaries / conditions

Retail, craft and tourism businesses.

Ineligible business types:

Ineligible activities:

Grant for investments by health professionals

ID 11934 — Reference database amount: Grant representing 20% of eligible expenses, up to a limit of €2,000. A beneficiary may not submit two applications for an economic grant within the same calendar year. A beneficiary may not submit an application under the same scheme in the year following the award of a first economic grant.

Purpose

Encourage equipment investments, as well as real estate investments, made by one or more health professionals; Guarantee the presence of care centres in the area and help improve their quality.

This scheme can be used until 30 June 2029.

Eligible expenses

• Expenses for the purchase of new or second-hand production equipment. The equipment must have a unit cost of €100 excluding VAT or more. The purchase of second-hand equipment is eligible provided that:

it is sold by a professional; the seller provides a document certifying that the equipment has not already benefited from a public grant.

• Expenses linked to fitting out or renovating a building, and more broadly all finishing works (flooring, partitions, electrics, plumbing, shopfront, accessibility, etc.). Not eligible: structural works relating to the building's structure itself (foundations, load-bearing walls, columns, beams, floors, etc.).

Beneficiaries / conditions

Medical professions.

Grant for the purchase and fitting-out of mobile service vehicles

ID 11931 — Reference database amount: Grant representing 30% of eligible expenses, up to a limit of €6,000. A beneficiary may not submit two applications for an economic grant within the same calendar year. A beneficiary may not submit an application under the same scheme in the year following the award of a first economic grant. %mini%

Purpose

Encourage the development of local services outside the main village centres. This scheme can be used until 30 June 2029.

Eligible expenses

Purchase of a suitable round vehicle (refrigerated vehicle, vehicle dedicated to mobile trading, etc.), fitting-out, and vinyl wrapping of round vehicles.

Beneficiaries / conditions

Businesses carrying out a local commercial activity or a local service essential to the population in village centres, wishing to set up or improve a mobile service offering.

Ineligible business types:

Ineligible activities:

Grant for improving the tourist accommodation offering

ID 11933 — Reference database amount: Grant representing 20% of eligible expenses, up to a limit of €5,000. A beneficiary may not submit two applications for an economic grant within the same calendar year. A beneficiary may not submit an application under the same scheme in the year following the award of a first economic grant. %mini%

Purpose

Improve tourist accommodation in the area both qualitatively and quantitatively, whatever its form; Encourage tourism professionals to consider the quality of their services, in particular with a view to obtaining a quality label.

This scheme can be used until 30 June 2029.

Eligible expenses

Expenses linked to finishing works (flooring, partitions, electrics, plumbing, shopfront, etc.) improving the facilities in the bedrooms, kitchens, dining rooms or bathrooms of tourist accommodation. Application fees and other expenses linked to obtaining a quality label may be taken into account in the financing plan in support of other works-related expenses. Not eligible: structural works relating to the building's structure itself (foundations, load-bearing walls, columns, beams, floors, etc.).

Beneficiaries / conditions

Businesses whose main activity is tourist accommodation. Ineligible business types:

Grant for business investment

ID 11925 — Reference database amount: Production equipment: grant representing 30% of eligible expenses, up to a limit of €2,400; Business real estate: grant representing 20% of eligible expenses, up to a limit of €5,000.

A beneficiary may not submit two applications for an economic grant within the same calendar year. A beneficiary may not submit an application under the same scheme in the year following the award of a first economic grant. %mini%

Purpose

Promote the creation, development and modernisation of local businesses through the purchase of new or second-hand production equipment or through the renovation or fitting-out of commercial premises. This scheme can be used until 30 June 2029.

Eligible expenses

• Expenses for the purchase of new or second-hand production equipment. The equipment must have a unit cost of €100 excluding VAT or more. The purchase of second-hand equipment is eligible provided that:

• Expenses linked to fitting out or renovating a building, and more broadly all finishing works (flooring, partitions, electrics, plumbing, shopfront, window display, etc.). Not eligible: structural works relating to the building's structure itself (foundations, load-bearing walls, columns, etc.).

Beneficiaries / conditions

Businesses carrying out the following activities:

Commercial activities (retail and wholesale); Craft activities; Vehicle maintenance and repair activities in a workshop; Social and solidarity economy activities; Activity carried out by a franchised business.

Ineligible business types:

Ineligible activities:

Grant for business takeovers

ID 11927 — Reference database amount: Production equipment: grant representing 40% of eligible expenses, up to a limit of €4,000; Business real estate: grant representing 30% of eligible expenses, up to a limit of €6,000.

Purpose

Help encourage the takeover of businesses in the Pays d’Uzerche area. This scheme can be used until 30 June 2029.

Eligible expenses

• Expenses linked to fitting out or renovating a building as part of a takeover, and more broadly all finishing works (flooring, partitions, electrics, plumbing, shopfront, window display, etc.);

• Expenses for the purchase of new or second-hand production equipment as part of a takeover. The equipment must have a unit cost of €100 excluding VAT or more. The purchase of second-hand equipment is eligible provided that:

• Equipment expenses listed in the deed of transfer of a business (fonds de commerce).

Beneficiaries / conditions

Retail, craft and tourism businesses. Ineligible business types:

Ineligible activities:

Grant for the digital transition of businesses

ID 11923 — Reference database amount: Grant representing 30% of eligible expenses, up to a limit of €3,000. A beneficiary may not submit two applications for an economic grant within the same calendar year. A beneficiary may not submit an application under the same scheme in the year following the award of a first economic grant. %mini%

Eligible expenses

Expenses linked to the purchase and installation of business software, or the cost of building a website. The website must be built by a professional. Not eligible:

operating and hosting costs; subscription fees for the use of software.

Beneficiaries / conditions

Businesses carrying out the following activities:

Ineligible business types:

Ineligible activities:

Call for projects "Inventez en Pays d'Uzerche"

ID 11932 — Reference database amount: Grant capped at €3,000. %mini%

Purpose

Help launch private initiatives in the area, thereby making it easier to finance projects, in particular through the banking sector. This scheme can be used until 30 June 2029.

Eligible expenses

Creation of innovative actions (new to the area, research and development, etc.) in any field of entrepreneurship: retail, crafts, tourism, health, culture, sport, research, etc.

Beneficiaries / conditions

New entrepreneurs under 30 years of age, in the process of creating a business or having created one less than a year ago, with an idea, initiative or project in the Pays d’Uzerche area.

How to prepare your application

Make contact in advance

The local authority invites project leaders to contact the economic development officer to review their project and identify useful contacts.

Choose the applicable fact sheet

Identify the scheme corresponding to the nature of the project: investment, takeover, digital transition, promotion action, mobile activity, tourist accommodation, SSE, or a project with a territorial impact.

Check the rules before incurring expenses

Ask for confirmation of the minimum and maximum spending thresholds, the rate, the exclusions, the expense eligibility date, and any obligations to maintain the investment or the job.

Prepare the supporting documents

The application may require quotes, a project description, proof of business status and financial documents. Use the list of additional documents published by the local authority and do not incur expenses before clarifying the procedure.

Points of caution

Caps are not automatic entitlements. Some grants limit the number of applications per beneficiary, impose a minimum self-funded share, or fall under the European de minimis rules. The practical guide must be read together with the intervention regulation and the list of additional documents. Also confirm that the scheme and the funding are still open on the day of submission.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Pays d’Uzerche offer financial grants?

Yes. The official website describes an agreement signed with the Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine in 2024 enabling the communauté de communes to contribute to financing business projects in its area.

Which sectors are cited by the local authority?

Retail, crafts, tourism, certain farming businesses and medical professions. However, each scheme has its own conditions.

Must the expenses already be committed?

Do not assume so: the eligibility date and the prior procedure must be checked in the regulation and with the economic development department before ordering or paying.

Where can I get the guide and the list of documents?

The official "Aides économiques" page provides access to the practical guide, the intervention regulation and the additional documents.

Sources and limitations

The official page confirms the general framework of the economic policy and provides the contact details of the development officer. The PDF guide published by the local authority provides the detailed criteria for several schemes. The 13 lines in the reference database must nevertheless be compared one by one against the latest version of the guide and the regulation before publishing a statement that the grant is open.

Official sources

• Economic grants for businesses, health professionals and farmers — Communauté de communes du Pays d’Uzerche
• Practical guide to economic grants — V2 — Communauté de communes du Pays d’Uzerche
• Institutional website — Communauté de communes du Pays d’Uzerche