Grants of £5,000 and £50,000 are now available for rural businesses across North Northamptonshire.
Using monies received from the Rural England Prosperity Fund, North Northamptonshire Council has re-launched a grant scheme to support existing rural businesses, with applications now open.
Following on from rounds 1 and 2 in 2023, applications are invited from projects that can be started quickly and be delivered with all spend claimed by 28 February 2025. Capital grants of between £5,000 and £50,000 are available in Round 3.
The grant scheme is intended to help rural businesses become more resilient and support growth. A particular target for Round 3 is business diversification and the visitor economy.
Applications for this round of funding must be received by 25 March 2024.
Cllr David Howes, the council’s Executive Member for Rural Communities and Localism, said: “We have a wide range of businesses in towns and villages across North Northamptonshire. But this is also the case in the more rural communities, with rural business looking to diversify and develop their offering in an ever-changing economy. This latest round of grants are designed to help them grow and develop.”
Cllr David Brackenbury, the council’s Executive Member for Growth and Regeneration, said: “With grants of up to £50,000 available, this latest round of funding will really help our rural businesses grow. I would urge any rural businesses in North Northants to get in touch with the team, take a read through the criteria and submit your application before 25 March.”
Jason Smithers, Leader of the Council, said: “Since we received this funding from central government, we have been committed to ensuring it reaches those who need it most. We are now in the third round of grants for this particular fund and the grants have already been received by so many rural businesses, making a huge difference.”
