Key Points
- Ceredigion and Powys businesses can apply for grants of up to £4,999.
- The funding is intended to help with the purchase and installation of LoRaWAN-enabled devices.
- The support is linked to a wider push to help Mid Wales businesses adopt smart LoRaWAN technology.
- The initiative is aimed at eligible businesses in Ceredigion and Powys.
- The story sits within broader digital and innovation support for Mid Wales enterprises.
Wales (Wales Times)May 20, 2026 — Eligible businesses in Ceredigion and Powys can apply for grants of up to £4,999 to support the purchase and installation of LoRaWAN-enabled devices, as part of funding and business support designed to help Mid Wales firms adopt smart LoRaWAN technology.
What is being funded?
According to the Ceredigion County Council notice, the scheme is offering support for businesses that want to adopt LoRaWAN-enabled devices, with grant funding capped at £4,999 per eligible applicant. The aim is to help firms invest in technology that can be used to support monitoring, data collection, and connected devices across business operations. The council says the scheme is intended for eligible businesses located in Ceredigion and Powys. The broader project is described as the “LoRaWAN Stimulation Project” and is linked to business support services for the Growing Mid Wales initiative.
Why is the scheme being introduced?
The project appears to be part of wider work to strengthen digital adoption among smaller firms in Mid Wales. A Growing Mid Wales digital programme page describes the LoRaWAN Stimulation Project as being aimed at enabling businesses through appropriate funding and support so they can exploit existing and future LoRaWAN opportunities. That suggests the scheme is designed to reduce barriers for businesses that want to use low-power wide-area network technology but may not have the funds or technical capacity to start immediately. The procurement notice also shows that Ceredigion County Council is acting on behalf of the Growing Mid Wales Board in awarding business support services for the project.
How does LoRaWAN help businesses?
LoRaWAN is commonly used for low-power, long-range wireless connections between devices, which can be useful for sensors and monitoring systems. For businesses, that can mean better visibility of equipment, environmental conditions, stock movement, or site performance, depending on the sector and use case. The value of the support is not only in the grant itself but in helping firms explore practical uses of smart devices that may improve efficiency. In a rural and semi-rural region such as Mid Wales, connected technology can be especially relevant where traditional infrastructure is limited or costs are higher.
What does the official notice say?
Ceredigion County Council’s announcement states that eligible businesses in Ceredigion and Powys can apply for grants of up to £4,999 for the purchase and installation of LoRaWAN-enabled devices. The Growing Mid Wales programme page frames the project as business support intended to help firms exploit LoRaWAN technologies. A procurement entry on the Find a Tender service shows the contract award for “Growing Mid Wales: LoRaWAN Stimulation Project,” with Ceredigion County Council acting on behalf of the Growing Mid Wales Board. Taken together, the notices indicate that the support is both a funding offer and a business assistance project rather than a standalone technology grant.
Background of this development
LoRaWAN is increasingly being used in public and private sector digital projects because it can connect devices over long distances while using relatively little power. The Growing Mid Wales programme has previously linked innovation support with practical technology trials, showing a broader regional interest in helping firms test and adopt digital tools. The council’s current notice fits that wider pattern by focusing on direct support for businesses rather than only on infrastructure or research. The project also reflects a common policy approach in regional development, where modest grants are used to encourage early adoption and lower the risk for small firms.
What could this mean for businesses?
For businesses in Ceredigion and Powys, the scheme could make it easier to test connected devices without bearing the full upfront cost. That may be most relevant for firms looking to improve monitoring, automate routine checks, or trial smarter operational systems. The practical effect will depend on how businesses use the technology and whether they have the capacity to integrate it into day-to-day operations. If uptake is strong, the scheme could help more Mid Wales firms move towards digital systems that support efficiency and decision-making.
