Businesses in rural areas of Devon and Somerset face unique challenges regarding connectivity, geography and employing people with the right skills sets to help them grow.
Many of the businesses in the Heart of the South West LEP area are rurally located and as such there are often specific support schemes available for these businesses, alongside support for core agricultural businesses that are traditionally considered to be rural.
Find at the bottom of this page some business support programmes currently available to rural businesses. If you would like help to understand the different business support options that may be available to you, Get in Touchwith the Growth Hub team.
USEFUL RESOURCES & LINKS
The Growth Hub has licensed access to 1000s of free digestible reports, factsheet, toolkits and guides on relevant business support topics, such as about networking groups in the rural sector, key contacts within the rural enterprise community, important, specific HSE advice, and information about the rural development programme, amongst others resources. Request resources.
Plunkett Foundation | Range of support and information to help people within rural communities to set up and run a community co-operative – whether it’s a shop, pub, farm, café, bookshop etc. www.plunkett.co.uk
WRAP (the Waste and Resources Action Programme) | Works with business and local communities to improve resource efficiency in England and Wales. Provides online resources and financial support to help farm businesses reduce their environmental impact – www.wrap.org.uk/category/role/farmer
Lantra | The sector skills council for the environment and land-based sector. Provides information about qualifications and apprenticeships, and is responsible for setting and promoting environmental and agricultural National Occupational Standards. Website provides a training search directory and rural industry-specific factsheets – www.lantra.co.uk
Grant funding for projects in England which create jobs and growth in the rural economy. Grants are available in three categories; business development, food processing and rural tourism infrastructure
Sustainable Development Funds which are aimed at communities, groups and businesses who are looking to develop an activity or service that contributes to the economic or environmental sustainability of the AONB.
The REAL Devon Local Action Group (LAG) will distribute grants to local people and businesses to develop opportunities for improving the rural economy and quality of life for people living and working in the area through a targeted grants programme called LEADER.
Greater Dartmoor LEAF, Local Action Group (LAG) have been awarded almost £2 million to allocate to projects in the area that meet the objectives of the strategy.
The Heart of Wessex Local Action Group is working with local people and businesses to develop opportunities for improving the rural economy and quality of life for people living and working in the area through a targeted grants programme.
The Western Somerset, Local Action Group (LAG) is working with local people and businesses to develop opportunities for improving the rural economy and quality of life for people living and working in the area through a targeted grants programme called LEADER.
The Making it Local, Local Action Group (LAG) is working with local people and businesses to develop opportunities for improving the rural economy and quality of life for people living and working in the area through a targeted grants programme called LEADER.
The Somerset Levels and Moors Local Action Group is pleased to announce the launch of the new LEADER Programme with a £1.4m grant pot available for businesses, farmers, foresters and rural organisations across the Levels and Moors over the next five years.
The Growth Hub have licenced access to thousands of practical, factual and digestible reports, guides, factsheets and reference resources for businesses.