Small businesses and community organisations in the district are being invited to apply for funding to boost investment in rural areas and support local communities.
The Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) grant scheme has now re-opened for applications for 2024/25. This follows news that we have been allocated REPF funding to support rural businesses and communities in the district, with £300,000 for 2024/25.
The funding is being used for a grant scheme for the district 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.
Small businesses and community organisations must have between 2 and 50 employees and a turnover under £10m to apply.
Funding must be for ‘capital’ projects, for example a lasting asset such as a building or equipment, and must have a value of over £10,000. Applications will need to include a business plan and will need to demonstrate how projects will achieve results for the area, ranging from jobs created or safeguarded to increased users of facilities or increased numbers of volunteers.
Projects must be deliverable within 6 months of the grant being awarded. The deadline for applications is 12 noon Tuesday 30 April 2024.
For more information, or to make an application, please see the REPF page on the DDC website.
Posted on 19 March 2024