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£4.5m Funding For Lancashire’s Rural Businesses

Wednesday, 04 November 2009 12:21

 

Following the successful launch events held in September in North, Pennine and Lancashire West a £4.5 million funding pot is now available for rural businesses seeking to develop or expand their existing enterprise or for those wishing to start a new venture.

The events attracted almost three hundred delegates, including many potential applicants.  As a result of the events, the Development Officers have received a high volume of enquiries and a number of applications have been received.

The funding is available for a wide variety of activities from support for farmers who are looking to diversify away from pure agriculture, to agricultural businesses wishing to introduce new technology, processes or products and to new or growing small rural businesses that have potential to expand and create new jobs.

Funding comes from The Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE), a £75million programme in the North West. Of this, £4.5million will be delivered directly in Lancashire by three Local Action Groups (LAGs) which are managed by Lancashire Economic Partnership (LEP).

Stephen Brown, Head of Economic Regeneration at Lancashire Economic Partnership, said: “We are delighted to announce that the RDPE funding in Lancashire is now open for business.  The grants available to rural businesses of all kinds will fuel growth and will mean our extensive rural assets continue to help drive Lancashire’s economy.”

Rural businesses will be able to apply for funding from three Local Action Groups (LAGs), which consist of representatives from the public, private and voluntary sectors.  Lancashire Economic Partnership has set up Local Action Groups to deliver the funds, each with an individual Development Officer to help bring forward projects and support them through the application process.  For further information please contact the relevant Development Officer for your area or view our web site www.lancashire-ep.org.uk, RDPE funding can be viewed within the Economic Regeneration section;

North Lancashire
Lancaster, Fylde and Wyre
Sharon McGuinness
LAG Development Officer
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Mobile: 07875 185531

Pennine Lancashire
Ribble Valley, Pendle, Burnley, Rossendale, Hyndburn and Blackburn with Darwen
Rick Patterson
LAG Development Officer
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Mobile: 07875 185533

Lancashire West
Preston, Chorley, South Ribble and West Lancashire
LAG Development Officer
Karen Kerrigan
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Mobile: 07875 185532