Member Article

Rural Growth Network Provides New Funding Opportunities

Landowners and rural businesses across the region are being urged to look into their eligibility for the updated Rural Growth Network (RGN) grants that are now available for those who meet the outlined criteria.

RGN grants are aimed at filling any identified gaps in the provision of the LEADER and the Rural Development Programme for England RDPE Growth Programme funding initiatives.

There are two grants available within the RGN Fund, Strategic Economic Infrastructure (SEIF) and the Rural Business Growth Fund (RBGF); typically, these grants are only available for medium to large businesses that predominantly concentrate on economic development sites, tourism projects and job creation, however, changes have been made to the RBGF so that micro/small businesses that are not eligible for the LEADER or the RDPE Growth Programme can be considered.

David Hume, a Rural Business Consultant at land, property and business consultancy George F. White, said: “It is fantastic that the RBGF grant has been developed to give those that have been dismissed for funding another chance. With grants from £10,000 to £60,000 available to those looking into tourism accommodation, food and drink production and energy and environmental products, it really elevates opportunities within enterprise and business growth across the region.”

The grants will be available at 40 per cent of eligible costs for businesses operating in target sectors within the North East Rural Growth Network area. Funding is available on a competitive basis however; grants will not be given automatically.

Hume added: “With so many grant opportunities available for landowners and rural businesses within the region it can be difficult to determine which you are most eligible for. It makes sense to seek expert advice to ensure that you are looking at the best opportunity and to make sure a strong application is put forward. In this case, the RGN will be assessing all applications to see how they fit the priorities of the funding therefore anyone applying is essentially competing with each other.”

If you would like more details on how RGN grants might be applicable to you and your business, please contact David Hume on davidhume@georgefwhite.co.uk or 01665 511986.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by George F White .