*Event Full – Registrations Closed*
In conjunction with the Rural Payments Agency and the Heart of the South West Growth Hub, the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership is holding a briefing event for rural businesses and organisations wishing to apply for grants through the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) Growth Programme.
The event will provide further information on the following funding opportunities through the RDPE Growth Programme:
- Rural Business Development Grants – Farm businesses diversifying into non-agricultural activity and new or existing micro and small businesses (including social enterprises) in rural areas can apply for capital grants between £35,000 and c. £170,000 to support business start-up or expansion.
- Food Processing Grants – New or existing food and drink processing businesses (including farm businesses diversifying into food and drink processing) can apply for capital grants from £35,000 to support business start-up or expansion.
- Rural Tourism Infrastructure Grants – Rural businesses, farmers, landowners, charities and public bodies can apply for capital grants from £35,000 for projects that improve the local rural tourism offer by delivering new or enhanced rural tourism assets and infrastructure.
Please book ASAP, as registrations will close at 5pm on Friday 17 March or when full – whichever is the sooner.
Who is the event for?
The event is particularly targeted at eligible grant applicants under the RDPE Growth Programme:
- For Rural Business Development Grants – Farm businesses diversifying into non-agricultural activity and new or existing micro and small businesses (including social enterprises) in rural areas.
- For Food Processing Grants – New or existing food and drink processing businesses, including farm businesses diversifying into food and drink processing.
- or Rural Tourism Infrastructure Grants – Rural businesses, farmers, landowners, charities and public bodies.
What will be covered?
The event will feature speakers from the Rural Payments Agency (as the grant administrators) and will include:
- The strategic context for RDPE Growth Programme activity in the Heart of the South West;
- An overview of the RDPE Growth Programme and how to apply;
- Q&A sessions with the Rural Payments Agency; and
- Information on wider business support available through the Heart of the South West Growth Hub.
Event details & how to register
The Heart of the South West RDPE Growth Programme Briefing will take place on Friday 24 March at Cullompton Community Centre. The event will run from 10.00 to 13.00, with refreshments from 9.30.
The event is free to attend. Please note that registrations are limited to one place per organisation and places will be allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, with registration closing at 5pm on Friday 17 March or when full – whichever is the sooner.
