£4.7m for rural enterprise hub

A NEW resource to help rural businesses grow through the use of new technology will be created thanks to a £4.7m NWDA grant.

Reaseheath College in Nantwich is to develop an enterprise delivery hub which will provide a pool of specialist knowledge and state of the art resources for rural firms.

The hub will provide specialist support to all rurally-based businesses in the region from start-ups to international food manufacturers.

Funding from the NWDA will also cover the kitting out and refurbishment of food halls, modern incubation kitchens and an anaerobic digester to reduce waste.

David Hunter, head of rural development at the NWDA, said: “Rural businesses do not have fair access or equal opportunity to the information and resources which can develop their businesses.

“We are pleased to invest in the hub which will provide a co-ordinated service catering for the knowledge, innovation and enterprise needs of rural businesses.

“It will also provide real opportunities for development of skills in the food and drink industry, which is vital for the sector to grow and for sustainable rural regeneration to take place.”

The food halls will encourage people towards careers in the food and drink industry and support the NWDA’s objective to increase skills in the region.

Approximately 80% of the project activities will benefit companies and individuals based in Cheshire with about 20% benefiting the wider region.

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