New jobs after rural businesses get £153,000 funding

The funding came from Rural Development Programme for England’s LEADER scheme, said a council spokesman.

Louise Goldsmith, Leader of West Sussex County Council, said the programme supported the council’s priority to invest in the local economy.

She said: “LEADER offers a much-needed helping hand to our local farmers, growers, foresters and small rural businesses and community groups to help them to develop and flourish.

“Thanks to the previous round of LEADER funding a total of 141 jobs were created over a five year period. I’m very much looking forward to seeing the impact this second round of the programme will have across our county and further afield.”

Small rural businesses, farmers, foresters and rural community groups can apply for LEADER grants of up to £50,000 to carry out projects that will create jobs, help businesses to grow and benefit the rural economy, said a county council spokesman.

Projects funded by previous ones include: a renovation and conversion of a disused farm building into bunkhouse style accommodation for cyclists and walkers using the South Downs Way; forestry equipment to help meet the increasing demand for woodchip for biomass boilers; building luxury accommodation lodges on a vineyard to encourage the growing interest in wine tourism across Sussex; and the Sussex Downs & Coastal Plain Local Action Group (LAG) has a total of £1.5 million to support projects in rural West Sussex and Hayling Island.

For more information about the grants, eligibility criteria, and to apply, visit the website at www.businesswestsussex.co.uk/leadergrants.

Alternatively, contact the LEADER Grants Team at West Sussex County Council on 0330 22 28001 or email [email protected].

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