Final round of grants, worth up to £10,000 or £15,000 each, opened for rural businesses in the Ashford borough

Ashford Borough Council has re-opened grant applications from the UK Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) for businesses in rural areas of the borough for the final time.

This round of funding will build on the success of the first rounds, which saw six businesses receive funding for energy transition projects, such as solar panels. In addition, 17 businesses had funding approved for equipment and installations to improve tourism and hospitality venues, as well as create startup spaces for food and drink producers.

These grants are set to lead to nearly 30,000 kg of CO2 saved in the borough and an average 20% increase in visitors to those rural destinations, as well as utility bills being reduced for businesses, increased turnover and approximately 25 new jobs created.  

Ashford’s REPF grants aimed at supporting rural businesses in the borough are:

• Rural Green Business Grant – to provide grants to support energy efficiency or energy transition projects in commercial premises in rural parts of the borough.
• Rural Place and Provenance Grant – to provide grants to support rural food and drink producers, hospitality and tourism attractions or venues to increase productivity and sustainability for businesses, support the creation of start-up spaces and tackle the ‘Last Mile’ challenge in rural areas.

Applications are on a first-come, first-serve basis, with businesses encouraged to submit their forms by 11:59pm Sunday 13 October 2024.

The application window will remain open until January, but if the funding runs out, the grants schemes would close earlier. All decisions will be taken by the Community Grants Panel of Councillors in November and February.

Full details about the UKSPF and REPF programmes, including the details on this funding and eligibility can be found using the links on our website.

Rural England Prosperity Fund activity falls within two categories, ‘supporting rural communities’ and ‘supporting rural businesses’. Further information about these funds, and other Government community funds, is available on the Government website.

Leader of Ashford Borough Council and Cabinet Member for Prosperity and Resource, Cllr Noel Ovenden, said: “Supporting our communities and businesses in this current climate, especially those in the rural areas of the borough, is of great priority to all at the council.

“We’ve already seen how beneficial the Rural England Prosperity Fund scheme can be within the borough, as businesses have been able to progress and develop to new heights, while benefitting the local community.

“By utilising these grant schemes, crucial issues faced in the rural parts of the borough continue to be addressed, such as our move to net zero and to create more opportunities for those residing there.”