Rural businesses encouraged to avail of up to £50,000 in grant funding

The application window for the Rural Business Investment Scheme is now open for rural businesses in the local area to apply for grants from £30,000 to £50,000.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Jan 2017, 14:51 BST
Updated 25th Jan 2017, 17:23 BST
Rural Affairs Minister Michelle McIlveen joins three businesses that have each received £50,000 grants from the Rural Business Investment Scheme. Funding is now available for new applications. (left to right) Aaron McGreevy, McGreevy Engineering, Dr Theresa Donaldson, Cheif Executive of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Cllr Margaret Tolerton, Chair of the Lagan Rural Partnership, Paul Crossen, Crossen Engineering, Cllr Uel Mackin, Chair of the Development Committee, Russell Robinson KER Graphics and Minister Michelle McIlveen.Rural Affairs Minister Michelle McIlveen joins three businesses that have each received £50,000 grants from the Rural Business Investment Scheme. Funding is now available for new applications. (left to right) Aaron McGreevy, McGreevy Engineering, Dr Theresa Donaldson, Cheif Executive of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Cllr Margaret Tolerton, Chair of the Lagan Rural Partnership, Paul Crossen, Crossen Engineering, Cllr Uel Mackin, Chair of the Development Committee, Russell Robinson KER Graphics and Minister Michelle McIlveen.
Rural Affairs Minister Michelle McIlveen joins three businesses that have each received £50,000 grants from the Rural Business Investment Scheme. Funding is now available for new applications. (left to right) Aaron McGreevy, McGreevy Engineering, Dr Theresa Donaldson, Cheif Executive of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Cllr Margaret Tolerton, Chair of the Lagan Rural Partnership, Paul Crossen, Crossen Engineering, Cllr Uel Mackin, Chair of the Development Committee, Russell Robinson KER Graphics and Minister Michelle McIlveen.

Rural Affairs Minister Michelle McIlveen said the scheme will provide opportunities for rural businesses in Lisburn &Castlereagh and Belfast City Council areas to create jobs and grow their businesses.

The scheme, delivered by Lagan Rural Partnership Local Action Group, provides investment support for the creation and development of micro and small enterprises (including farm diversification and private tourism businesses) in rural areas. Funding is available up to £30,000 for new rural business start- ups and up to £50,000 for the expansion of existing rural businesses.

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Minister Michelle McIIveen congratulated Crossen Engineering Ltd and McGreevy Engineering Ltd, two precision engineering companies, along with KER Graphics Ltd, a self-adhesive label manufacturer, who each received a grant of £50,000 under the first call for grant aid in summer 2016.

She said: “I am delighted to visit three rural businesses today and I take great encouragement that the funding these companies have received through the Rural Business Investment Scheme has the potential to create up to 13 new jobs across each company.

“This demonstrates what the grant funding can do for businesses and how it can assist with their growth plans.

“The benefits are clear and I am urging rural businesses based in Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council and rural Belfast City Council to consider applying to the next round of the Rural Business Investment Scheme and, if successful, reap the rewards.”

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Public information sessions for the Rural Business Investment Scheme will be held in Belfast and Lisburn & Castlereagh council areas, details of which are as follows:

Wednesday, February 8

Location: Cherry Room, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Island Civic Centre, Lisburn (Business Breakfast)

Time: 8.00am – 10.00am

Wednesday, February 8

Location: Dance Studio, Moneyreagh Community Centre, Moneyreagh

Time: 7.00pm – 9.00pm

Monday, February 13

Location: Meeting Room 1, Cregagh Youth & Community Centre, Belfast. Time: 12.00pm – 2.00pm

Wednesday, February 15

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Location: Main Hall, Hillsborough Scout & Community Hall, Hillsborough

Time: 7.00pm – 9.00pm

Tuesday, February 21

Location: Main Hall, St. Clare’s Community Hall, Glenavy

Time: 7.00pm – 9.00pm

Monday, March 6

Location: Oak Room, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Island Civic Centre, Lisburn

Time: 6.00pm – 8.00pm

To reserve a place on any of the public information sessions or to request an application form please contact Melissa Cunningham (Lisburn & Castlereagh Council) on 028 9250 9489 or via email at: [email protected]

Related topics:Belfast City CouncilCastlereaghBelfastCastlereagh City Council