Places are still available for the first of six free information events, running this month (September), designed to aid small rural businesses in accessing £933,000 in development help – as part of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership’s plan to boost economic growth.
The first of six Rural EAFRD Funding Workshops will take place at the Hilton House Hotel, in Hilton, Derbyshire just off the A50 (DE65 5GP). This session will run from 17:00 till 19:00 on September 16 (Wednesday) and is free to attend. The event is joint-funded by South Derbyshire District Council and D2N2 – the Local Enterprise Partnership covering Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
D2N2 – a partnership of business, local authorities, skills and training providers, and community organisations tasked with boosting economic growth across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire – is making £933,000 available; to help new or established small or micro businesses in rural areas to expand and create new jobs. The EAFRD funding will aim to create at least 68 new jobs in the area, and boost tourism and visitor numbers, increase the turnover of businesses and increase productivity in the rural economy.
The D2N2 Rural Conference, held earlier this year (2015)
More than a third of the D2N2 area’s total of 880,000-plus jobs are in rural local authority areas but according to DEFRA (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) problems for the rural economy can include reduced income among farmers, lower than average wages and difficulties in finding business investment.
The recently announced EAFRD funding in the D2N2 area is designed to help address these issues, and capital grants made available through D2N2’s EAFRD allocation could fund activities including:
- farmers diversifying into non-agricultural activities such as tourism or an attraction to create jobs;
- rural food and drink manufacturers, for example craft breweries looking to increase production;
- the construction of workshops or investing in new machinery, to enable a rural business to expand.
Grants will range in size from £35,000 to approximately £140,000 and can cover up to 40% of a project’s total costs. Projects must have a total value of at least £87,500 to be eligible for funding.
The above event will feature more detailed information on EAFRD funding in the D2N2 area, with a Q and A panel available to answer any questions.
To book onto the above event, click the link below.
http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rural-eafrd-funding-workshop-south-derbyshire-tickets-18452964313
Further information sessions about the EAFRD funding and how to access it will be held on:
Friday September 18, 9am to 12noon – Matlock Town Hall, Bank Road, Matlock DE4 3NN. To book online to attend go to – www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rural-eafrd-funding-workshop-derbyshire-dales-tickets-18165468405
Wednesday September 30, 8.45am to 11.30am – The Old Hall Hotel, The Square, Buxton. To book online go to – www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/funding-for-business-breakfast-event-high-peak-tickets-18435197171
Tuesday October 6, 8.30am to 11.30am – Mansfield (venue to be confirmed). To book online go to – www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rural-eafrd-funding-workshop-north-nottinghamshire-tickets-18453389585
Thursday October 8, 5pm to 7pm – Bolsover District Council, The Arc, High Street, Clowne, Derbyshire, S43 4JY. To book online go to – www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rural-eafrd-funding-workshop-bolsover-tickets-18431871223
Thursday October 15, 4pm to 7pm – Council Chamber, Gedling Borough Council, Civic Centre, Arnot Hill Park, Nottingham, NG5 6LU. To book online go to – www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rural-eafrd-funding-workshop-south-nottinghamshire-tickets-18453283267
Those unable to attend the sessions can find out more about the EAFRD funding from the D2N2 Growth Hub team, on 0333 006 9178 or email info@d2n2growthhub.co.uk , or via Government websitewww.gov.uk/european-structural-investment-funds/business-support-call-in-derby-derbyshire-nottingham-and-nottinghamshire-08rd15bs0001
For more information on how the D2N2 LEP is using European funding to boost the economy and jobs numbers in its areas see website www.d2n2lep.org/EUFunding
Media needing further information about the work of the D2N2 LEP can contact D2N2 Social Media and Marketing Apprentice, Sam Burbage on 0115 9578254 or email: sam.burbage@d2n2lep.org
