Rural Businesses to Receive a Share of £200m in Grants

The latest round of Rural Development Programme funding will include specific investment to support new rural broadband projects and provide significant amounts of funding to on-farm businesses to invest in new infrastructure such as buildings and machinery.

The government has also stated that the funding is expected to generate 6,750 new jobs. More than 1,400 projects have already been confirmed, which are expected to create over 2,300 jobs.

The grants will also fund landowners to improve farm productivity and invest in rural tourism opportunities.

Lord Gardiner, Rural Affairs Minister said, “One in three businesses in this country are based in the countryside, and this government is committed to providing the support they need to create a strong and prosperous rural economy.

“This funding will make sure businesses in remote locations can get online, help farmers install cutting-edge technology, create new tourist hotspots and bring high quality jobs to rural communities across the country.”