DAERA launches £1.55 million rural micro business development grant aid fund
Date published:
DAERA has today launched the Rural Business Development Grant Scheme which will deliver £1.55million in capital grants to support rural micro businesses across Northern Ireland.
The Rural Business Development Grant Scheme is funded through the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs ‘Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation’ (TRPSI) Programme and is delivered in partnership with local Councils.
Eligible rural businesses can apply for capital assistance of 50% up to the value of £4,999 for the purchase of capital equipment which will help their business to enhance sustainability or lead to growth opportunities and the creation of employment opportunities which in turn strengthen the rural economy.
Launching the scheme, Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir, MLA, said: “I am pleased to announce the opening of the £1.55million Rural Business Development Grant Scheme. This fund is important in delivering on the Department’s priority of building strong sustainable and diverse rural communities and the draft Programme for Government priority of growing a globally competitive and sustainable economy with a focus on addressing regional balance.”
Minister Muir continued: “I urge all eligible rural businesses to go online and apply as soon as possible. Rural Businesses continue to play a vital role in our rural communities, and I want to support them at this challenging time and provide them with opportunities that will maximise their potential and stimulate business growth.”
Details of the Rural Business Development Grant Scheme. Only online applications can be accepted for this scheme. The Scheme opens for applications at 9:00am on 16 October 2024 and closes at 12 noon on 8 November 2024.
Notes to editors:
- The Rural Business Development Grant Scheme (RBDGS) scheme was introduced in 2019 in partnership with the 10 local Councils (excluding Belfast City) with a further three schemes rolled out in 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23.
- The purpose of the RBDGS is to provide support towards the sustainability and growth of rural micro-businesses (less than 10 full-time equivalent employees) through the provision of a small capital grant.
- DAERA has overall responsibility for the delivery of the programme. Individual Councils are responsible for managing projects in their Council area.
- To date, £5.078m grant aid funding has been provided through the four iterations of the scheme supporting the sustainability and growth of 1,547 rural micro businesses across NI.
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