Open Call: Rural Business Food Production Fund (UK)

The applicant must demonstrate how the investment will help improve productivity and increase/expand the products the business can produce.

UDC Strategic Objectives                       

• Funding (capital grants) for small scale investment in micro, small and medium enterprises in rural areas. Including capital funding for net zero infrastructure for rural businesses, and diversification of farm businesses outside of agriculture to encourage start up, expansion or scale up of these businesses where this involves converting farm buildings into other commercial or business uses
• Purchase of equipment for food processing for non-farmer owned businesses to support expansion or diversification
• Funding (capital grants) for the development and promotion (both trade and consumer) of the visitor economy

Funding Information

• Capital grants of up to £25,000 will be available to purchase equipment specifically for food and drink processing.
• The expectation will be that businesses will undertake innovation and enhance their productivity.
• Examples of food processing equipment covered by this grant scheme:
  • new process and packaging machinery such as brewing equipment and onsite vending machines
  • equipping development kitchens
  • modernising existing kitchen equipment for increased energy efficiency or increased productivity through automation
• Businesses will be able to apply for up to 40% of the eligible project costs

Outputs and Outcomes

• The application process will assess projects on their ability to achieve tangible outputs.
• Applicants will be required to provided quantified outputs i.e. “24 jobs created” rather than “they will create jobs” or “yes”.

Eligibility Criteria

• To be eligible, businesses must be non-farmer-owned and trading within the Uttlesford district.

For more information, visit UDC.