Businesses across rural England are set to benefit from a £110m cash injection to boost productivity and create job opportunities in the countryside.
The Rural England Prosperity Fund will support projects including farm businesses looking to diversify by opening a farm shop, wedding venue or tourism facilities or improvements to village halls, pubs and other rural hubs for community uses.
Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Greg Clark MP said: ‘This major investment in rural businesses will help us boost the countryside economy and close the rural productivity gap.
‘It’s our mission to spread opportunity across the whole of the UK and this funding will help us do just that.’
Rural areas are home to 9.6 million people – 17% of England’s population – and the rural economy is worth £260bn to the economy (15% of England’s output).
Lord Benyon, Minister for Rural Affairs, said: ‘We are addressing the rural productivity gap, levelling-up opportunities and outcomes, and looking after the rural areas and countryside that so many of us are proud to call home.
‘The Rural England Prosperity Fund worth up to £110m recognises the unique strengths and challenges of rural communities, and will support them to invest and grow their economies in line with local priorities.’
