Cherilyn Mackrory, MP for Truro and Falmouth, has welcomed news that the Government will provide up to £110 million to support rural businesses such as farms, wedding venues and pubs across England.
The cash injection will be directed towards projects that will boost productivity and create rural job opportunities. This could include farm businesses looking to diversify by opening a farm shop, wedding venue or tourism facilities or improvements to village halls, pubs and other rural hubs for community uses.
Investment will be based on local priorities and support investment in projects such as grants for converting farm buildings to other uses, rural tourism, digital infrastructure, improving cultural and heritage sites and new footpaths and cycle paths.
The Rural England Prosperity Fund worth up to £110 million will be delivered by eligible local authorities and give local leaders a greater say in investment than they previously had under EU schemes. It will be in addition to the £2.6 billion allocated via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) to support levelling up across the UK. The fund will be part of the UKSPF and is a rural top-up for eligible local authorities.
Cherilyn said:
“For too long, Cornwall rurality has contributed to its low productivity rate compared to the rest of the UK. That is why I am pleased this new funding will be targeted towards boosting innovation and productivity so that Cornish businesses can find better ways or working, and ensuring our communities are better connected.
This new funding comes on top of the £132million previously given to Cornwall from the Shared Prosperity Fund and demonstrates this Government’s commitment to levelling up our region. I look forward to working to working with the Government to ensure we target this money to where we need it most in Cornwall.
Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Greg Clark MP said:
“This major investment in rural businesses will help us boost the countryside economy and close the rural productivity gap.
It’s our mission to spread opportunity across the whole of the UK and this funding will help us do just that.”