Rural Business Grant Scheme Open for Applications to Assist with COVID Recovery

Capital grants up to a maximum of £4,999 are now available to existing micro enterprises based in rural areas of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.

Capital grants up to a maximum of 50% grant rate are available to support rural businesses to recover, sustain and grow through DAERA’s Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation (TRPSI) Programme, administered and managed by local Councils.

As local businesses prepare to recover and grow from the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the Rural Business Development Grant Scheme can assist with capital costs such as ICT equipment for remote working employees, E-commerce websites, additional equipment or machinery, and awnings for customer protection while they wait. Other examples include screen protectors, free standing sanitizer stations and elbow operated taps, flexi-panels for social distancing, collection and delivery points, along with internal and external COVID-19 signage. Building works for economic use are also allowable under the grant and require full planning permission in place at the time of application.    

In response to the recent announcement, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Laura Delvin said, “This is a fantastic opportunity for the rural businesses in Newry, Mourne and Down as it will assist with additional costs they would not have reasonably foreseen only a few months ago. Local businesses have shown outstanding resilience in the reopening and relaunching of our economy and I would urge them to apply for the Rural Business Development Grant with amounts available ranging from £500 to £4,999. This is a competitive process and businesses should refer to the programme guidance notes for full information on eligibility and the application process.”

A total of 19 projects were successful in the previous Rural Business Development Grant Scheme delivered in 2019, which awarded total grant funding of £70,667.99 to rural businesses across the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area. Subsequently the total value of investment in the area was £141,335.98, which includes grant funding and match funding.

Guidance notes and an application form is available on the Council website: www.newrymournedown.org/rural-business-development-grant

The scheme is open for applications from Monday 3 August 2020, closing on Friday 11 September 2020 at 12noon. Late applications will not be accepted and it is advisable to also speak directly with a member of the Rural Development Team with regards to eligibility, the application process and your project idea. To arrange a call back, please email: RDP.admin@nmandd.org. Alternatively, call 0330 137 4000 and ask to speak to a member of the Rural Development team.