Application Call for Strategic Projects
Business Creation & Development, Rural Tourism & Village Renewal 14th May - 2nd July at 4pm
Housing Executive Rural Regeneration Funding 2012/13
Clementsmount Fun Farm is in a spin, over its latest attractions.
Business Breakfast Success
Rural businesses got an early morning boost at the GROW Business Breakfast last Wednesday, 13th April 2011 in Corr's Corner Hotel, Newtownabbey. Members of the GROW team, banks and local enterprise agencies were on hand to provide advice on funding available and support to develop business ideas.
Vera McWilliam, Chair of the GROW South Antrim Local Action Group, said the event was a great success, and a chance to speak to people who could help face-to-face; "The Rural Development Programme offers opportunities to help farming families to diversify their income streams, to enable micro businesses adapt to changing markets and to help individuals kick start their own business, perhaps becoming their own boss at a time when the job market is so competitive.
To date under our farm diversification and business creation and development measures, GROW has awarded just over £1million of funding to 42 projects across South Antrim. Our grant awards have ranged from £790 to £50,000 and we have provided funding towards a wide variety of items - from website developments to port-a-cabins, signage to machinery, software to building works. We are looking for new and existing businesses who want to develop, so get in touch with the GROW team to see if you could apply in our May application call. Check us out on Facebook and Twitter for more information."
GROW Chairs Janet Crilly and Vera McWilliam, with Kerry McClintock, Antrim Enterprise Agency, Vice-Chair and local businessman, Brian Duffin and Henrietta & David Reade, Breckenhill, who received funding under the last Rural Development Programme to convert an old barn into a venue for events, conferences and teambuilding.
GROW will re-open for applications under the Farm Diversification, Business Creation & Development and Rural Tourism themes on Monday, 2nd May and will close at 4pm on Monday, 13th June. This application call is for farmers, individuals, private businesses and social economy enterprises based in the rural areas of Antrim, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey Borough Councils. Contact the GROW office on 028 9448 1311. Applications can be completed online through www.eugrants.org
To see more pics, check out our Facebook page!
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2011