Defra funding to help north-east firms

Small businesses in the north-east have received another welcome funding boost with news that the North East Rural Growth Network has been launched.

With £1 million of backing from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the body is targeting firms with fewer than ten employees to help them expand.

And it comes only weeks after 3,000 small enterprises in the area benefitted from a share of £6 million provided by the European Regional Development Fund Competitiveness Programme.

Speaking about the Defra funding, Fiona Cruickshank, North East Local Enterprise Partnership Board Member, explained: "This fund will help to underpin the wider programme of support for small business growth across rural communities in Durham, Gateshead and Northumberland and bolster rural economies in these areas.

"The new scheme will help equip high quality rural micro-enterprises across the North East LEP area with the resources to grow and compete. We would encourage applications from any such businesses within the relevant sectors with ambitious plans for their future."

Posted by Thomas Fletcher

Last updated: 11th February 2013