The Rural Development Programme for England Growth programme - Tees Valley Launch events.

The Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) Growth Programme is open for applications from Monday 4 November to Sunday 16 February 2020.

The programme provides grants for rural start-ups and businesses to purchase state of the art equipment and machinery to grow their business or open up opportunities for tourism.

The minimum grant size has reduced from £35,000 to £20,000 meaning that more small or micro businesses could be eligible for a grant for their projects.

Business Development

These grants are to create new and expand existing micro and small businesses in rural areas in the Tees Valley LEP area to create new jobs and growth in the rural economy.

Priority will be given to projects that will enable farming businesses to diversify into non-agricultural activities and create new or expand existing micro and small businesses in rural areas in the LEP priority sectors or their wider supply chains.

Tourism Infrastructure

These grants are for capital investments to develop and grow tourism in rural areas. The aim is to support and enhance the tourism offer in rural parts of the Tees Valley LEP area, increase visitor spend and attract visitors to stay longer.

Food Processing

The aim of these grants is to support the growth of food and drink businesses that process agricultural and horticultural products within Tees Valley, leading to job creation and improving processes and efficiencies to maximise capability for global competition.

This is one of two events and you only need to attend one event. This event takes place at Blackwell Grange Hotel, Darlington.