Lincolnshire awarded £90k Defra regeneration grant

Since 2007, the county council has supported three ‘Leader’ schemes, rural partnerships giving grants to small businesses and community groups in three locations.

The programme is funded by the Rural Development Programme for England, which is jointly-funded by Defra and the European Union. Now the council has been awarded a further £90,000 by Defra to help this work continue.

Councillor Colin Davie, executive member for economic development, said: “Over the last six years we’ve invested around £6m in these areas, helping between 70 to 80 small businesses and rural communities.

“However, we now need to look ahead to the future, and decide how best we can help these areas in the years to come.

“This new grant will help us do that, meaning we can make the best case possible for our share of future funding.”

Among the projects that have received support during the 2007-2013 programme are The Curve in South Thoresby, which provides eco-friendly holiday accommodation, and Farmer Brown’s Ice Cream Parlour and tea room at Huttoft.

Councillor Davie added: “By helping these small businesses to grow and thrive, we’re also supporting the wider economy. And that benefits everyone.”

The Defra grant will help the council prepare its bid for funding during the 2014-2020 programme.