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North East entrepreneurs to influence future rural economy

Entrepreneurs in the North East will help extricate rural businesses from the economic downturn at an event in Northumberland later this month.

In a unique opportunity to influence future support and investment in rural businesses, the event at Hexham Mart on Monday 17 June will ask the entrepreneurs what support could best help the rural economy to weather current economic challenges and thrive in the future.

Newcastle University’s Northern Rural Network, the North East Rural Growth Network and the North East Farming and Rural Affairs Network will be looking at how rural needs differ from urban, what skills are currently lacking in the rural workforce, and what infrastructure improvements are most needed.

Newcastle University’s Centre for Rural Economy will be contributing their research results on the importance and value of existing enterprise hubs, and discussing examples of best practice in promoting rural businesses.

Four Rural Enterprise Development Officers, who help to develop new and existing businesses, will also be available throughout the day to network and talk informally about their work.

But the vital role will be played by rural entrepreneurs, who will be providing their first-hand experience and views from the front line. They will contribute important evidence that will inform decisions about future funding.

Fiona Cruickshank, the North East Local Enterprise Partnership Board lead on rural issues said: “We know that entrepreneurship in rural areas is strong – there are more business start-ups in the countryside than in urban areas. Rural business could be an important engine for economic growth, but there are also multiple challenges for entrepreneurs in the countryside.

“There may be ways that we could provide support for specific needs, and at key points in a business start-up, but we need to ensure that funding is targeted in the most cost-effective way. That is what this event is about - it provides an opportunity for businesses to help shape a multimillion pound new European programme to support and promote rural enterprise.”

Northumberland, Durham and Gateshead form one of five areas nationally to benefit from funding from Defra’s (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) pilot Rural Growth Network programme, set up to help rural areas overcome barriers to economic growth such as a shortage of business premises and poor broadband access.

Delegates from small and medium sized businesses will be welcome at this free event at Hexham Mart on 17 June. Visit http://www.northernruralnetwork.co.uk/events for more information or email northrn@ncl.ac.uk for bookings.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Graham Vincent .