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Funding to help rural businesses can beat the recession

Monday 16th of March 2009

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Rural business can now take advantage of a funding scheme which could help them beat the credit crunch.

Farmers, foresters and other countryside companies in the East Hampshire and Winchester areas can now apply for grants from a £2m pot.

The funding scheme, called the Fieldfare LEADER Programme, is run jointly by East Hampshire District Council and Winchester City Council and officially started on March 4.

Fieldfare LEADER programme manager Ken Brown, of Winchester City Council, said: "It focuses on the sector that's going to find it the hardest during the recession. This is a time when they would otherwise be putting on hold any capital programmes they might have. It means small rural businesses will have the benefit of targeted funding when they need it most."

Councillor Richard Millard, East Hampshire District Council's Portfolio Holder for Business Development, said: "Ken's experience of the issues faced by rural businesses and communities will be invaluable in delivering benefits across the area. The LEADER programme has already generated a lot of interest and Ken has been invited to visit a number of potential projects.

"The District Council sees the programme as an essential part of its backing business campaign to help businesses deal with the recession and prepare for new opportunities as the economy recovers."

The Fieldfare LEADER Programme aims to help agricultural or woodland businesses, farm shops, improve local tourist attractions, develop skills and enterprise and enhance the physical environment.

The programme, supported by the South East England Development Agency, is aimed specifically at rural areas, but town-based businesses offering services and products to rural communities may still be eligible.

Find out more about LEADER funding at East Hampshire District Council's website.