Business support funding of £4.3m is being made available for the tourism, agriculture and food production industries in Cumbria throughout 2017.

As part of the allocation of remaining EU funding streams secured via the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, three new European Agriculture Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) programme rounds are underway.

A £1.3m investment is available to support the development of tourism infrastructure throughout rural Cumbria.

The aim is to support projects that will encourage more tourists to visit Cumbria, stay longer and spend more money in rural areas.

Funding of £1.5m is to assist rural business development with grants to enable farm diversification or business innovation and growth.

Grant funding can help pay for constructing or improving buildings and/or buying new equipment and machinery.

The remaining £1.5m is being applied to help food processing businesses to develop and extend supply chains, enabling them to export their goods as well as achieving business growth.

It is aimed at food and drink businesses which process agricultural and horticultural products.

Graham Haywood, director of Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership says:

“This is another valuable tranche of EU investment rounds focusing on growing a diverse and vibrant rural economy within the county.

"The funding is aligned with the county’s strategic economic plan, with a keen focus on innovation, opportunities to diversify, and helping rural businesses grow and create more jobs.

“The county’s businesses still have access to significant EU funding resources to help them achieve growth.

"Applicants can be assured that contracts in place will be fully funded, even if their projects continue beyond the UK’s departure from the EU.”

Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership and its partners play a key role in determining how EU funds are invested throughout the county.

This includes a range of projects to support business growth and innovation, create jobs and improve skills levels.

Corinne Watson from Cumbria LEP adds:

“These latest funding rounds are part of the wider programme of EU backed investments which will emerge this year so that the county can take full advantage of its original planned allocation.

“It’s important to remind potential applicants that the European Structural Investment Funds programme is expected to be delivered until the end of 2020, so we’re keen to hear about projects which can benefit from this funding.

“We are also intending to work with colleagues in DEFRA to run a workshop in the near future which will help interested organisations to develop successful applications.”

Cumbria is a recipient of funding from the European Structural Investment Funds (ESIF) programme, which includes the European Agriculture Fund for Rural Development, European Regional Development Fund and European Social Fund.

For further information about the new EAFRD funding rounds, visit the 2017 section of the news page on the Cumbria LEP website www.cumbrialep.co.uk.

Applicants who would like to find out more about the Eden Food Enterprise Zone should contact Oliver Shimell at Eden District Council via email Oliver.Shimell@eden.gov.uk.

For information on European Funding in Cumbria, contact Corinne Watson at Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership by emailing corinne.watson@cumbria.gov.uk.