Published August 16, 2017 at 9:57
Rural businesses in Rossendale are being encouraged to contact Rossendale Council’s economic development team for help to apply for funding to help grow their operations.
LEADER funding is one of two separate programmes available and is a locally delivered grant scheme aimed at promoting jobs and business growth to improve the rural economy. It’s available for rural businesses that meet a certain eligibility criteria.
To apply for LEADER funding projects must create jobs and economic growth in the following areas: support for increasing farm productivity; support for micro and small enterprises and farm diversification; support for Rural Tourism; provision of rural services; support for cultural and heritage or increasing forestry.
Funding is dependent on postcode and grant rates are usually at 40 per cent of the total project cost and have a minimum amount of £6k.
Support is also available to rural businesses via the RDPE Growth Programme. Businesses could be eligible for a grant if they are carrying out a project that increases jobs or strengthens the rural economy.
There are three types of grant under the RDPE Growth Programme: business development, food processing and rural tourism and infrastructure.
Typically grants are available for a minimum of £35k and examples of projects include investment in machinery and farm diversification which support business to business models.
For more information on LEADER funding or about the RDPE Growth Programme please contact Rossendale Council’s Business Development team on: (01706) 252480 or email: economicdevelopment@rossendalebc.gov.uk
Click here for more information on the LEADER programme.
Click here for more information on the RDPE Growth Programme