The Rural Growth Network initiative is part of a package of measures announced in the Government’s Rural Economy Growth Review. It was launched in late 2011 with a competition for local enterprise partnerships and local authorities to apply to become pilot areas designed to test different ways of encouraging economic growth in rural areas.

Warwickshire is one of just five Rural Growth Network (RGN) pilots in the country; the others are in Cumbria, Devon & Somerset, Durham & Northumberland, and Swindon & Wiltshire. RGNs offer a flexible package of advice and support to rural businesses in any sector and people looking to start their own business.

With drop-in clinics, specialist advice, one-to-one mentoring, coaching, loans, grant funding and property, you’ll find the support you need to set up your business and help it grow.

Warwickshire County Council, on behalf of Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership, is currently seeking expressions of interest from organisations with proposals for using grant funding to promote the take-up and utilisation of innovation and technology amongst rural businesses.

Priority for funding in the following sectors:

• Manufacturing/ advanced engineering
• Digital Media
• Low carbon technologies

A range of grants are available covering up to 40% of the total eligible costs towards projects valued between £25,000 – £250,000.

Applications must be submitted by 27th September 2013.

For further information contact Tim Powell, UWSP Ltd, on tim.powell@uwsp.co.uk or rgn@uwsp.co.uk or log on to www.warwickshire.gov.uk/ruralgrowthnetwork

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