East Herts Council announced on 09 March 2010 that it is offering a helping hand to businesses in rural East Herts, Uttlesford and North Herts after securing more than GBP3m to help them reduce their carbon footprint. The funding from the East of England Development Agency, EEDA, is made available through the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE), jointly funded by Defra & the EU. East Herts Council led the bid for funding in partnership with North Herts and Uttlesford district councils and Essex and Hertfordshire county councils.  Local farm businesses, micro enterprises, tourism and community service providers can apply until December 2013.

Councillor Mike Carver, executive member for planning policy and transport, said: “The recession has hit a lot of businesses hard but with City firms in the headlines, it’s easy to forget the effect on rural businesses and farmers. We’re proud to be able to offer this funding to help out. It will help businesses expand and take on new projects which might not have otherwise been possible, and it also supports them to take steps towards using renewable energy. The rural development programme is a great example of partnership working and we are pleased that by working together, we can offer funding to a great proportion of the eastern region.”

Cindy Winn, head of rural economy at EEDA, said: “We are pleased to support the Eastern Plateau Local Action Group invest in their economic future with a focus on helping businesses become more competitive and to assist sustainable rural communities. The East of England has a rich heritage in rural business – a sector which makes a vital contribution to the regional economy.”

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