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 earlier rounds of the grant schemes, applications are now being accepted for projects that can start quickly and be delivered in full by 28 February 2025. A particular target for this round is rural diversification, including business diversification and projects which support the visitor economy.
Examples of projects supported in earlier rounds include:
- New Lodge Farm in Bulwick who extended their café and farm shop
- Austin Davis Biologics who have been able to move into a larger, refurbished facility in Islip
- Measures Farm in Hemington who developed a new dog field
- We Don’t Do Ordinary who invested in tourist accommodation at Wallis Mill, Brigstock
Cllr David Howes, the council’s Executive Member for Rural Communities and Localism, said: “North Northants has a diverse and wide range of businesses and this is particularly noticeable in our rural communities where business owners are looking to develop their offering for an economy that has seen considerable change over the past few years. These grants are designed to help them grow and develop.”
“Grants of up to £50,000 will really make such a difference to rural businesses in North Northants. There are still a few weeks to apply, so please do contact the team, take a read through the criteria and apply before 26 July,” said Cllr David Brackenbury, the council’s Executive Member for Growth and Regeneration.
“The previous three rounds of this grant scheme have made such a difference to a variety of rural business, including farms being able to diversify their offering to appeal to a wider range of customers. With this fourth round, more and more businesses should benefit,” said Jason Smithers, Leader of the Council.
Applications for this round of funding must be received by 26 July 2024 and interested rural businesses who wish to apply for funding in Round 4 should email ukspf@northnorthants.gov.uk to request an application form, eligibility criteria and guidance notes.
