Farm and forestry businesses are being invited to submit an application for the next round of funding in the LEADER programme.
Projects which support farming and forestry productivity in rural areas, support new innovative and efficiency saving practices are invited to submit an application for the LEADing Rural Business small capital grant funding programme.
The call for bids opened on Monday 15 February.
The key objectives of the programme include the growth in the rural economy and the creation of additional rural employment in rural Worcestershire.
Bidding applications are welcomed to provide:-
– Support for Farming Productivity – examples could include small scale water management investments and innovative farming practices
– Support for Forestry Productivity – examples could include investments in non-timber forest products and using new forestry technologies
The range of potential capital grants will be between £2,500 and £35,000.
The Worcestershire ‘LEADing Rural Business’ programme is funded through the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) 2014-2020 under the LEADER approach, utilising money from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
Jill Hall, Chair of Worcestershire Local Action Group: “This is a great opportunity to support our farmers and foresters, in particular to make their business fit for the future. Worcestershire is a county with a thriving rural and agricultural economy, and I encourage any farmer or forester, who is looking to invest in their business to submit an application.”
Cllr Ken Pollock, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy, Skills and Infrastructure said: “Rural and agricultural business and enterprise is flourishing and helping to power Worcestershire’s economy. I would encourage any interested businesses to apply for the second round of funding from the LEADER programme, and help to further strengthen our rural business infrastructure.”
Businesses must apply before the Friday 1 April 2016 deadline.
For more information and updates on the programme, visit the Worcestershire Business Central website. For further information or an application form contact Hollie Kirk, Project Manager, on 07957 632 520 or email hkirk@worcestershire.gov.uk.