Rural companies urged to bid for funding

Time is running out for businesses in rural areas of the district to apply for a grant for projects that will assist, strengthen and develop themselves and their local area.

The East Kent LEADER programme, which is funded by the European Union, launched in late 2015 and is scheduled to close for bids at the end of this year.

Since it began, a number of businesses in the Canterbury district have successfully secured funding, including in recent weeks the Chartham-based manufacturing firm Inca Geometric and computer support company J&J Systems, which operates from a unit on the Hersden Business Park.

The city council, which is one of the partner organisations in the LEADER programme that makes decisions on bids, is encouraging businesses to take advantage of the scheme before it comes to an end.

Chairman of the council’s Regeneration and Property Committee, Cllr Rachel Carnac, said: “A successful bid for funding from the LEADER initiative could help businesses take the next step in their development and secure jobs for the local area.

“We’ve already seen several of our companies benefitting from it, and I congratulate the two most recent applicants. The money is there for the right projects and I hope more bids will come forward over the last few months of the scheme.”

Grants of between £2,500 and £50,000 are available under the LEADER scheme. Higher amounts will be considered if, in the awarding panel’s opinion, a project demonstrates excellent value for money and will lead to significant jobs and economic growth.

For more details, go to www.leaderprogrammekent.org.

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