Rural businesses such as farms, wedding venues and pubs will benefit from up to £110m of funding being allocated to support levelling up in countryside communities across England.
The Rural England Prosperity Fund will be invested in capital projects that boost productivity and create rural job opportunities. It will be delivered through local authorities and is part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which is replacing EU structural funds.
Examples of appropriate projects include: converting farm building to other business uses; investing in visitor accommodation to support rural tourism; and providing capital grants for digital hubs in village halls, pubs and post offices.
Indicative allocations have been announced for eligible local authorities, taking account of rural population, rural businesses and productivity, and the importance of farming.
Levelling up secretary Greg Clark said: “This major investment in rural businesses will help us boost the countryside economy and close the rural productivity gap. It’s our mission to spread opportunity across the whole of the UK and this funding will help us do just that.”
Funding is available from April 2023 to March 2025.
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