Rural England Prosperity Fund

We have been allocated £400,000 from the Rural England Prosperity Fund to support rural businesses and communities as follows:

  • March 2023 to April 2024: £100,000
  • April 2024 to March 2025: £300,000

Full details are available on the Government's REPF Prospectus.

The fund has been used to introduce a grant scheme for capital projects for:

  • Rural businesses: Grants to develop new products and facilities that will be of wider benefit to the local economy. This includes farm businesses looking to diversify income streams.
  • Rural community organisations and Parish Councils: Grants to support new and improved community infrastructure, providing essential community services and assets for local people and businesses to benefit the local economy.

Successful applicants 2023/24

BusinessGrant awardedProject
Bay Trust £30,000 Refurbishment of holiday let to support charity.
Kentish Condiments £45,000 Factory infrastructure and equipment to upscale business. 
Bechange £15,550 Insulated timber building to extend the Community Garden.

Successful applicants 2024/25 

BusinessGrant awardedProject
Woodnesborough Community Project £20,000 Clubhouse refurbishment
The Coldred Forum £24,999 Coldred pond refurbishment
Sandwich Community Hub: the Jubilee Centre £35,000 Community hub/workshop
Sutton Parish Community Centre £30,000 Car park surface and 2 electric charging points.
Aylesham & District Community Workshop Trust £40,000 New café and entrance
Gazen Salts Nature Reserve £11,200 New boardwalk and groundworks
Kentish Condiments £45,000 Factory infrastructure and equipment
Aly Young Law  £12,000 New office for business expansion
Green Hub Recycling £19,500 Recycling equipment
Solton Events £30,403 Conversion of building to indoor wedding venue
Limekiln Wood Clay Shoot £10,348 Clay shoot equipment
SW Kenton and Son £20,000 Conversion of building to farm shop and café
Betteshanger Country Park £11,000 New outdoor education centre