Rural firms to benefit from £9m funding
RURAL businesses are being urged to take advantage of a £9m fund that could help support existing enterprises or branch out into new ones.
The Rural Development Programme for England funding is aimed at helping rural firms expand or develop skills and invest in new technologies that could allow livestock farmers to make better use of their waste, energy and water resources. Start-ups will also be eligible for grants.
Regional development agency Yorkshire Forward is responsible for managing the fund.
One of the first Yorkshire companies to take advantage of a Rural Enterprise Investment Grant is Muntons Malt Supply Chain
The farming co-operative, based in Bridlington, has invested £3.6m in new storage facilities for 24,000 tonnes of high quality malting barley will benefit up to 100 farmers in the surrounding area. The RDPE investment into the project is £723,000.
Guy Newsam, director of Muntons Malt Supply Chain said:
“I’d advise any rural business to check out the help that is available from Yorkshire Forward.
“Thanks to the Rural Enterprise Investment Grant we shall be able to provide grain drying and storage facilities, together with branded barley contracts specific to our customer’s requirements. This will offer supply chain improvements in food safety and quality assurance.
He added: “All partners in the chain, grower, maltster and brewer/distiller will be able to participate to ensure that the chain functions efficiently and the highest levels of quality are achieved throughout.”
Tom Riordan, chief executive of Yorkshire Forward, said:
“We need to ensure that rural businesses are aware of this additional financial support that is available directly from Yorkshire Forward, and help them to maximise the benefits to their company.”
