29 September, 2017 in Industry News

NI Rural Development Programme 2014-2020

Funding support is currently available to rural based businesses across the Mid Ulster District Council area through the Rural Business Development Investment Scheme. Administered by Mid Ulster Rural Development Partnership, 50% funding on eligible expenditure up to £90,000 (depending on business size) may be available through a competitive application process

Objective of the scheme:

The objective of the scheme is to encourage the development of a resilient and more diverse local economy focusing on rural business innovation, growth and young people.

What's on offier?

The scheme will provide capital funding in support of job creation for projects identified as part of a business plan.  Projects must fit within one of the following themes and target one of the priority sectors:

  • Rural Business - Innovation (priority sectors: IT, Creative Industries, Rural Tourism and Rural Service Enterprises)

  • Rural Business - Growth (priority sectors: Manufacturing, Engineering)

  • Rural Business - Youth (priority sectors: applications from 18-30 year old age group)

 

Who can apply?

The scheme is open to rural:

- Private Individuals (18 years of age and over) in rural areas

- Micro or Small Enterprises performing non-agricultural activity

- Social Economy Enterprise engaged in economic activities in rural areas

 

Eligibility Conditions:* 

- Micro (fewer than 10 employees) and Small Enterprises (fewer than 50 employees)

- Private Individuals must be over 18 years

- An 'Enterprise' is considered to be any entity (including linked businesses) engaged in an economic activity, irrespective of its legal form

- Rural areas are those which fall outside statutory development limits of settlements with over 5,000 inhabitants i.e. Cookstown, Dungannon, Magherafelt, Coalisland.

- Agri-food processing projects are not included due to alternative funding sources

- Individual(s) attending the workshop MUST be either the business owner if a sole trader; one or both partners if operating a business partnership enterprise or a director who is an authorised signatory for the business if operating as a legal entity registered with Companies House.

*for full list of terms and conditions, application process and eligibility criteria please visit the Mid Ulster Rural Development Partnership website: www.midulsterrdp.org

 

Funding Workshops

A series of funding workshops will be held between 9 - 18 October 2017 for businesses who may be interested in making an application.  Attendance at a workshop is a mandatory requirement within the application process.

Workshop dates and venues are as follows:

 
Date Time

Venue

Monday 9 October 9.30am

Council Offices, Magherafelt

Monday 9 October 6.30pm

Cookstown Leisure Centre

Wednesday 11 October 9.30am

Cornmill, Coalisland

Wednesday 11 October 6.30pm

Quinn's Corner, Dungannon

Monday 16 October 9.30am

Cookstown Leisure Centre

Monday 16 October 6.30pm

Cornmill, Coalisland

Wednesday 18 October 9.30am

Quinn's Corner, Dungannon

Wednesday 18 October 6.30pm

Council Offices, Magherafelt

 

Pre-booking is essential and can be completed by contacting a member of the administration team on 028867 64714

If you are interested in applying, our team can help you through the process.  

Interested in finding out more? Contact:

Whilst every effort has been made by CavanaghKelly to ensure the accuracy of the information here, it cannot be guaranteed and neither CavanaghKelly nor any related entity shall have liability to any person who relies on the information herein. Information given here is for guidance only. Detailed professional advice should be taken before acting on any information contained herein. If having read the guidance here, you would like to discuss further; a member of our team would be pleased to help you.