Reminder about funding for rural areas

Shropshire’s rural communities are being urged not to miss out on a share of £500,000 that aims to boost the county’s rural economy. 

The Rural Challenge fund is part of Shropshire Council’s Market Towns Revitalisation Programme. 

Under the fund, rural areas outside Shrewsbury, Oswestry, Market Drayton, Whitchurch, Ludlow and Bridgnorth – along with the remaining market towns – are eligible to submit applications for between £7,500 and £40,000 of capital funding for projects that will kickstart new economic growth. 

The deadline for funding applications is Thursday 30 June 2011. 

Examples of projects that may be eligible for funding include businesses, community centres where there is economic activity, improvements to industrial estates, social enterprises, and community shops.  However, all projects have to demonstrate how they will directly contribute to the local economy. 

Anyone interested in applying to the Rural Challenge fund should contact their local community action officer, whose details can be obtained by calling 01743 253077. Application forms can be found on the Shropshire Council website at shropshire.gov.uk/markettowns. 

Councillor John Hurst-Knight, Shropshire Council’s deputy Cabinet member, said:

“In these difficult economic times it is vital that we continue to support and invest in our market towns and rural communities.  This funding will provide a real boost to Shropshire’s rural areas.”