Pictured above: Paul John, Director of European
Programmes at Advantage West Midlands
Advantage West Midlands have, today, announced a series of new
calls for bids designed to provide millions of pounds of investment
to rural businesses all over the region.
Delivered as part of the Rural Development Programme for England
(RDPE) 2007 - 2013, this initiative broadens the range of
activities that can be funded through the Agency's Strategic
Investment Grant (SIG) Scheme which is available to help improve
the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sector and
improve the quality of life and economy of rural areas.
Launched in August 2008, just under £1 million of funding
has been awarded to businesses in the region through Strategic
Investment Grants. Having listened to businesses across the region,
Advantage West Midlands is to address their needs by re launching
and extending the grants to covering eight areas.
Grants of £62,500 and above can be awarded to large scale
and collaborative projects looking at anything from fruit and
vegetable packing and processing; improving the economic value of
forests to farm diversification; the processing of organic farm
wastes and supply chain facilities for livestock.
Paul John, Director of European Programmes at Advantage West
Midlands said: "The additions to the Strategic Investment
Grant provide a huge boost and opportunity for businesses in the
region.
I am particularly pleased that we have been able to develop and
make available a whole new range of activities that increases the
level and type of support we can offer.
The grants available through the RDPE Programme really can make
a difference and I encourage any rural business who is interested
in receiving this help to contact your local Rural Hub, the
European Programme Management team at Advantage West Midlands or go
to our website."
One business to have benefitted from a Strategic Investment
Grant is Herefordshire based Certainly Wood Ltd who were awarded
£380,000 of grant to provide storage and processing
facilities enabling the business to double its capacity of kiln
drying, and meet the significant demand for kiln dried wood.
Pictured above: George Snell, Chairman, Certainly Wood Ltd,
Herefordshire
The company are also looking to develop biomass production from
within the farming business to provide fuel for the kiln. This will
increase the sustainability of the entire operation, and improve
overall efficiencies within the yard.
Nic Snell Marketing Director said, "This grant has had a huge
impact on our business enabling us to significantly develop at a
faster rate. We are delighted with the new kilns and to be running
them on our wood waste is fantastic and is helping us to meet the
ever increasing demand for high quality firewood."
A total of £55 million is available to the region through
the RDPE Programme to make agriculture and forestry more
competitive and sustainable and to enhance opportunities for rural
businesses, social enterprises and community projects.
To find out more on the Strategic Investment Grants available
through the RDPE Programme contact the RDPE team at Advantage West
Midlands on 0121 380 3500, email the team on
rdpeenquires@advantagewm.co.uk or visit
www.advantagewm.co.uk and select the RDPE Programme
section.
Paul John, Director of European Programmes, Advantage West
Midlands