Grants to boost small rural businesses
Almost one million pounds is being made available to help develop new and established small rural businesses across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
The funding is part of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership’s plan to boost economic growth and will aim to create at least 68 new jobs in the area, boost tourism and visitor numbers, increase the turnover of businesses and increase productivity in the rural economy.
The money could support a variety of activities from farmers diversifying into non-agricultural activities such an attraction to create jobs – to craft breweries looking to increase production.
David Ralph, Chief Executive of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Small rural businesses provide a service to their community, accessible employment opportunities and are an important part of the economy but can struggle to find funding which is perhaps more readily available in urban areas.
“The EAFRD funding we’re announcing is aimed specifically at providing owners of new and established, smaller businesses with the help they need.”
Up to 26 projects will be supported locally with capital grants to range from £35,000 to a maximum of approximately £140,000 to cover up to 40% of a project’s total costs. (Projects must have a total value of at least £87,500.)
To be eligible to apply for a grant a rural business must operate in the D2N2 area and in one of its eight key economic sectors – the visitor economy, food and drink manufacturing, low carbon, construction, transport equipment manufacturing, transport and logistics, creative industries or life sciences – OR be looking to create new jobs, OR increase productivity; OR introduce a technology, product or process new to their sector.
Applications – which must be submitted by 5pm on Friday November 27 – will be assessed by the Government and the D2N2 LEP. Those with the strongest business case will then be asked to make a further, full application for project funding.
More information about the Growth Programme can be found at www.gov.uk/government/collections/growth-programme-grants-for-the-rural-economy
