Last chance for Devon businesses to secure Rural Enterprise grant funding.
PRESS RELEASE
Heart of the South West Partnership
02 December 2013
For immediate issue
Businesses across Devon and Somerset are being urged to get their applications for the Heart of the South West Rural Enterprise Grant (REG) in as soon as possible, before the deadline in early January 2014.
Over £600,000 has already been allocated from the £1million REG fund which was launched in January. Administered by Devon County Council, funds have been allotted to 19 businesses across the area with the remaining funding due to be allocated in early March 2014.
The grants have to be used to aid business development and create jobs. Businesses have used the money in a variety of ways - to update machinery, automate production processes or purchase new equipment.
The Rural Enterprise Grant, designed to boost growth and create jobs throughout the area, is in addition to the Government’s £2.9 million investment in HotSW’s Rural Growth Network (RGN). The RGN is expected to create around 1,300 new jobs in the area and increase gross value added (GVA) by tens of millions.
Cllr Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth said: “Around 90% of businesses across Devon and Somerset are micro businesses so this grant has huge potential to boost the economy in the area.
“Rural enterprises with fewer than ten employees are eligible to apply for the business grants, although applicants will need to meet 60% of project costs, with the grant covering a maximum of 40%.”
Family run Devon company Hunter’s Brewery, based in Ipplepen was able to install an automated bottling system thanks to the grant. The new machinery increase enabled the business to increase production from 300 bottles per hour by hand to 3000 per hour and create two additional jobs.
Director, Paul Walker said: “The automated bottling line will not only help us cope with our own production levels, but will enable us to contract bottle for other small breweries. Hunters Brewery will be the only contract bottling plant that is able to produce bottle conditioned ale in this area.
“Two new jobs have been created within the brewery thanks to increased productivity - the future is very exciting due to the help we’ve received from The Rural Enterprise Grant.”
"We already break even on the sales of cask ales alone. The increase in bottled sales as a result of the new system will enable us to develop our business, increase our brewing capacity, expand our market and create jobs.”
Devon County Council’s successful bid for £1 million from Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) was achieved in partnership with the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
Chris Garcia, Chief Executive of HotSW LEP said: “Hunter’s Brewery is exactly the type of business this grant has been set up to support and we wish them the best in the future.
“We hope that more businesses apply for the Rural Enterprise Grant before the deadline – this funding is designed to help rural businesses to grow, creating and safeguarding jobs throughout the area.”
This programme is drawing to close and interested parties are encouraged to visit the website to check eligibility criteria which has recently changed www.heartofswlep.co.uk/rural-growth-rural-enterprise-grants or contact an advisor at the Business Information Point (team@bipwestdevon.biz / freephone 0330 1000338).
ENDS
Notes to editors
For more information, contact Emma Parker Reynolds or Liz Waugh at Coast Communications on 01752 847135 / 07944 360631.
Heart of the South West
The Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has been formed under the leadership of the private sector supported by the local authorities from Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay and the area’s District Councils. It is one of 39 partnerships created since the Government’s Local Growth White Paper published in October 2010. More information about the work of the LEP is available from the website www.heartofswlep.co.uk.
Rural Economy Grant
Only businesses in Rural Growth Network areas are eligible to apply for the micro-business fund. In total, Rural Growth Networks are expected create a total of 700 new businesses and 3,000 jobs by helping rural businesses overcome problems, like lack of work premises and access to superfast broadband, which all stop growth. For more information on Rural Growth Networks or the Rural Development Programme for England, please contact the Defra Press Office on 0207 238 1822.
Rural Development Programme for England
This project is part financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development 2007-2013: Europe investing in rural areas. In England, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development 2007-2013 is delivered through the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE). It is an important part of the Common Agricultural Policy and helps create genuinely sustainable farming, forestry and food sectors, whilst bringing wider benefits for the economy, the environment and rural communities. It is the European Union's major investment route for protecting and enhancing the environment while securing a range of public benefits for society. Defra is the Managing Authority and is delivered in the region by Defra, Natural England and the Forestry Commission.
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