Small rural businesses invited to apply for funding to help them expand

We are delighted to have secured £200,000 Rural England Prosperity Funding to support micro or small businesses and fund equipment to enable greener, low carbon farming and the conversion of farm buildings for other commercial uses.

The funding, administered via the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, is for capital investment only and must be spent on assets such as building or equipment which are expected to be used for at least one year.

Expressions of interest are invited now for funding to support projects as varied as new onsite accommodation or creation of a wedding venue, pet and equine facilities including kennels or livery, infrastructure to protect against flooding, the purchasing of process and packaging machinery such as brewing equipment and modernising kitchen facilities.

Any rural organisation with legal status can apply. This may be parish councils, public sector organisations, voluntary organisations, charities, higher and further education institutions and private companies. A small business means one with less than 50 employees, turnover of no more than £10.2 million and a balance sheet showing less than £5.1 million.

The deadline for sending expressions of interest is Monday 27 May at 1pm.

Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for High Streets and Visitor Economy, Councillor Janice Silvester-Hall, said:

“We are delighted to have secured this substantial amount of funding to help small rural businesses and farms across the district.

“It will create and safeguard jobs and deliver growth and increased productivity and I would encourage anyone eligible to apply.”

Visit our community funding section to find out more.