Chorley Council is inviting Expressions of Interest from rural businesses across the borough to apply for support through the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF).
The council has been awarded funding from the Government’s REPF to help supercharge growth and help businesses across the borough’s rural areas. A total of £120,000 has been allocated to support new and existing rural enterprises with initiatives such as launching a new product into a new domestic or overseas market.
This builds on last year's success, where seven businesses benefitted from over £400,000 in grant funding, helping them to diversify. Rural businesses are being encouraged to submit their Expressions of Interest. Eligible applicants can apply for up to 50% of their total project costs.
The grant is available for projects with a minimum total spend of £40,000 (providing a £20,000 grant) and up to a maximum spend of £80,000 (providing a £40,000) grant.
The fund will be managed by the councils Business Engagement Team and Expressions of Interest are now being accepted until 31 August.
Deputy Executive Leader of Chorley Council and Cabinet Member for Resources, Councillor Peter Wilson, said: said: “Our rural businesses are a vital part of the local economy and community.
“This funding presents a real opportunity to help them grow, innovate, and compete in new markets.
“We are encouraging eligible businesses to come forward and take advantage of the support on offer.
“This is another way we are making it happen in Chorley by backing local enterprise and given them the tools they need to thrive.”
Funding can support a range of activities including launching a new product, entering new markets by undertaking relevant research or event attendance to support a product launch.
The application process will be delivered in three stages. Interested businesses must first email edu@chorley.gov.uk with their postcode and a brief outline of their project to determine whether they are located within an eligible rural postcode and their project meets local priorities. In the second stage of the process once eligibility is confirmed, businesses will be invited to submit an ‘Expression of Interest form’ to check that their project meets local priorities and fits within the timeframe for the programme. If eligibility is confirmed, the businesses will then move to the final stage of the process where they will be invited to complete a full application and will also be expected to attend a business planning session which will include 1-2-1 specialist support.
For more information or to begin the application process, contact the Business Engagement Team: edu@chorley.gov.uk.
More information can be found here: chorley.gov.uk/businessgrants