Mark Garnier, MP for Wyre Forest, welcomes the announcement of a £60 million government grant scheme for rural entrepreneurs. The new scheme means that rural businesses can apply for individual grants which could range from £25,000 to more than £1m each. The objective is to support businesses in increasing competitiveness and profits.
After hearing the news Mark said: “So often in my surgeries I have small rural businesses asking where they can apply for additional funding and I am thrilled that I will be able to point them in the direct of this grant scheme.
“I firmly believe that we need to foster a growing and robust rural economy for the benefit of both rural communities and the economy more widely. This grant is excellent news for rural businesses in Wyre Forest and will go far in unlocking the economic potential of our rural areas.”
Successful applicants will receive up to 40% of the cost of projects. The Government anticipates that the scheme will be supporting five key areas. These are: farm competitiveness; agri-food; tourism; forestry and micro enterprises such as digital media technology and small scale, high value manufacturing.
Applications for grants are now being accepted and further information is available at: http://rdpenetwork.defra.gov.uk/funding-sources/rural-economy-grant