The Rural Business Investment Scheme opens its sixth and final call for funding
A £1m windfall for small rural businesses in the Derry and Strabane District Council area has been announced by the Derry and Strabane Rural Partnership.
Pictured launching the Rural Business Investment Scheme’s latest and final funding call is Deborah Duddy and Pauline Lusby (owner) from City of Derry Equestrian Centre who was awarded funds to assist with marketing collateral to take her business to the next level.
This major boost to rural Small and Micro businesses is thanks to the latest and final funding call released by the Rural Business Investment Scheme.
The LEADER funding, delivered under the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2014 –2020, offers local rural businesses the opportunity to secure funding for capital investment projects that create new jobs and enhance export potential as well as assisting with marketing collateral.
It has invested £1.5m to 34 rural businesses in the Derry and Strabane District Council area with the creation of 54 new jobs since it was launched in 2016.
The Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2014-20 is part funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and the European Union. The LEADER Fund is administered by Derry City and Strabane District Council on behalf of Derry and Strabane Rural Partnership.
The Derry and Strabane Rural Partnership will be hosting a series of pre-application workshops, commencing on Wednesday 27th February, with attendance mandatory for any business intending to apply. Previous applicants will need to re-attend one of the workshops for this call.
Speaking about the latest round of funding, Councillor John Boyle, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, said: “The Rural Business Investment Scheme funding has proven to be tremendous success, delivering significant impact in our vast rural community. The Fund has helped 34 small rural businesses invest in their future by equipping them with the skills and infrastructure needed to take their business to the next level.
“This is the final funding call under the Rural Business Investment Scheme and we would encourage any local business, who is investment ready, to attend one of our four mandatory pre-application workshops and find out how the scheme might benefit them and their local community.
“The Partnership is particularly keen to encourage applications from areas that have submitted low numbers to date, in particular, from the Sperrin District Electoral Area.”
To book a place at one of the workshops and receive a copy of the Expression of Interest form please email rural.development@derrystrabane.com or phone Derry City and Strabane District Council on 02871 253253 x 6917.
Further information also available at www.derrystrabane.com/RBIS
| Workshops | |
| Date | Venue |
| Wednesday 27th February 2019 at 3pm | Derg Valley Leisure Centre, Castlederg |
| Friday 1st March 2019 at 10am | The Belfray Country Inn |
| Tuesday 5th March 2019 at 7pm | Strabane Enterprise Agency |
| Thursday 7th March 2019 at 7pm | White Horse Hotel |
Discover more from LoveBelfast
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
