Grant funding available to rural businesses across East Yorkshire

The Invest East Yorkshire team can help rural businesses to access grants of between £1,000 and £50,000 to support projects aimed at helping them grow and develop.

Part of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, the team’s experienced business advisors are available to work with rural business owners in East Yorkshire to help them identify projects that will help their business to grow and improve, and understand what sort of grants they might be eligible for. Eligible business owners can apply for up to 50 per cent of the total cost of their project.

Through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Rural England Prosperity Fund, rural businesses can access revenue grants of up to £5,000 that can be used to help cover anything from attendance at events to marketing costs. There are also grants of up to £10,000 for small scale capital expenditure projects, which could include things like the purchase of machinery or improvements to retail premises. Larger capital expenditure grants of up to £50,000 are available if a project is capable of delivering significant economic impact, which would need to be demonstrated as part of the application process. This could include the creation of jobs, significant supply chain development or an increase in tourism accommodation in rural areas.

Grants can’t be used to cover general day-to-day costs, such as rent, staffing, utility bills, buying stock or for core farming activities and expenditure. Projects can’t be funded retrospectively; grant funding must be approved before a project begins.

Dawn Hall of the Invest East Yorkshire team said: “These grants represent an exciting opportunity for rural business owners across East Yorkshire and can be used to fund a range of projects, including income generating, non-farming diversification projects, such as the creation of tourism facilities, business units for renting out or a retail offer. Don’t let financial constraints hold you back; reach out to our friendly and knowledgeable team today to discuss your project ideas and check your eligibility.”

For more information about the application process or to find out whether you could be eligible for a grant, please contact the team on 01482 391622 or email business.support@eastriding.gov.uk.