Rural Enterprise Grant
The Rural Enterprise Grant (REG) is funded by the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) and is available to farmers and specific rural micro-businesses in the West Midlands.
REG is managed on behalf of Advantage West Midlands, the Regional Development Agency for the region, by Herefordshire Council.
Who can apply?
• Farm Businesses
• Members of Farming Households
• New or Existing Businesses of less than 10 employees, known as micro-enterprises, whose turnover is equivalent to less than €2m and are located in eligible rural areas whose core and planned activities meet REG eligibility criteria.
What will the REG fund?
1. Farmers/members of Farming Households:
Food and Drink Enterprise Development:
- Small scale processing and manufacturing activities
- Supply chain equipment (processing, storage, specialised equipment/facilities)
- Farm Shops, ideally based on farm, but other locations may be considered
Environmental Technologies:
- Renewable Energy Installations as part of a wider project
- Waste Recycling linked to supporting Land Based sector
Tourism:
- Tourist attractions, recreation and facilities which add value to the “visitor experience”
- Improvements to existing tourism businesses to improve quality and provide facilities to extend the appeal of the business
Other Farm Diversification Activities that will be considered:
- On farm retailing
- Care Farming
- Educational activity
- Non food processing
- Office developments
- Manufacturing activity linked to agriculture
2. Micro-enterprises:
Food And Drink Enterprise Development:
- Small scale processing and manufacturing activities
- Supply chain equipment (processing, storage, specialised equipment/facilities)
Environmental Technologies:
- Renewable energy installations as part of a wider project
- Waste Recycling linked to supporting Land Based sector
- Manufacture of renewables
Tourism:
- Rural tourist attractions, recreation facilities which add value to the “visitor experience”
- Improvements to existing tourism enterprises to improve quality and provide facilities to extend appeal of business
Other Activities
- Eligible activities which are based on farms and directly support the Land Based/farming industry may be considered.
For more information contact Val Breakwell at the Worcestershire Rural Hub on 01905 622272 or email valerie.breakwell@wrh.org.uk
