Expressions of interest are now open for rural businesses across Wyre to apply for grant funding through the Rural Business Grant Programme.
£140,000 has been allocated from the Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund to help supercharge growth and create employment opportunities for the borough’s rural areas. This funding will look to support new and existing rural enterprises and initiatives such as farm diversification, projects to boost rural tourism, and community infrastructure projects including electric vehicle charging stations, all contributing to the wider economy.
Rural businesses are being encouraged to apply for this grant funding through the Rural Business Grant Programme, where eligible applicants can apply for up to 40% of their total project costs with a minimum grant of £20,000 and a maximum grant of £100,000.
The fund will be managed by Lancashire County Council on behalf of Wyre Council and expressions of interest are being taken now until Friday 7 July.
Projects can include funding for the diversification of farm businesses outside of agriculture; tourism, accommodation, food and drink and improved infrastructure for businesses.
Portfolio Holder for Planning Policy and Economic Development, Cllr le Marinel states,
“We are delighted to be able to offer funding to our rural businesses across Wyre, through the Rural Business Grant Programme. We want to encourage anyone who thinks they may be eligible, to contact us and apply.”
There is a two stage application process for local businesses looking to apply. In order to determine initial eligibility interested businesses must email ruralprosperityfund@lancashire.gov.uk with their postcode to determine whether they are located within an eligible rural postcode. Once eligibility is confirmed they will be invited to submit an Expression of Interest form to check that their project meets local priorities and fits within the timeframe for the programme.
If your project fits with local priorities and meets the eligibility requirements you will be invited to proceed to full application.
For further information, please visit: www.wyre.gov.uk/UKSPF