Rural businesses in Worcestershire urged to apply for grant aid

RURAL businesses in Worcestershire looking to expand their operations have been told they have until November 27 to apply for a share of £300,000.
 
The funding is available from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), which is part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme (ESIF). Grants are available from £35,000 up to approximately £100,000.
 
The Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership said applicants could apply for a grant to cover up to 40% of a project’s total eligible costs. Projects will need to demonstrate and evidence how they can create a number of new jobs and increase their overall wages.
 
The funding is designed to benefit the LEP’s priority growth sectors of Agri-tech, Advanced Manufacturing and Cyber/Defence, by for example, improving farm diversification, construction and development of workshops, factories and machinery and the introduction of new technologies and equipment to improve productivity and efficiency.
 
As there is already an EAFRD fund currently available to rural tourism businesses, rural tourism businesses will be unable to apply for the Business Development fund.

Applicants will be assessed in two stages of the application process – at the outline and full application stages.

Gary Woodman, executive director of the Worcestershire LEP, said: “The funding is a fantastic opportunity for businesses in rural areas to expand and create jobs, providing a great boost the local economy. I would strongly encourage any interested parties to apply for this call for funding before the November 27 deadline.”
 
More information is available from Jo Jury by emailing jmailto:jo.jury@rpa.gsi.gov.uk or by phoning 01905 768854.