Firms urged to chase rural grants

RURAL entrepreneurs are being urged to apply for grants of up to £1m as part of a scheme to boost their competitiveness.

The Government has announced a £60m project aimed at revitalising the rural economy, and grants of between £25,000 and £1m are available to support businesses based around farming, tourism, forestry, micro enterprises and small-scale, high value manufacturing.

Beverley and Holderness Conservative MP Graham Stuart said: “These grants are proof that this Government understands and is willing to invest in rural interests. Rural communities contribute a great deal to the economy and we must do more to support them in these difficult economic times.

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“Forty per cent of the costs of projects can be covered by this grant and that will go a long way towards helping many rural businesses to remain competitive. I’m glad we have strengthened the rural voice in government after years of neglect but I am determined to see the base formulas used for general government grants changed to reflect rural need. So, happy as I am about this initiative, I won’t rest until we have a more fundamental change which provides a rural fair share.”

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