Horsham District Council will soon be launching a new round of funding to support eligible business growth projects in rural areas.
The Council has been awarded over £260k to invest in local rural businesses and sustainable community projects, from the UK Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF).
If you have a capital, business growth project which is:
- New
- Sustainable
- In a rural location
- Boosting the local economy.
Then you can express an interest in applying for a grant from the Rural Fund from 10am on Friday 9 May until midday, Friday 13 June 2025.
Projects that have been supported in the past include:
- Installing solar panels, providing renewable energy for a rural business building
- Footpath improvements to enhance public access along the River Adur, supporting local tourism and community well-being
- Establishing a small-scale dairy processing unit to add value to local dairy production.
Commenting on the launch of the Rural Fund, Horsham District Council Cabinet Member for the Enterprise and Property, Cllr Jonathan Taylor said:
“I am delighted we are offering even more support to help boost our local rural economy and rural communities through this fund.
“Whether it’s a farm diversification project, a bid to boost rural tourism or a proposal to install rural community infrastructure such as electric vehicle charging points, I would urge anyone with an eligible project idea to submit their expression of interest whilst funding is available.”
Read the guidance and submit your eligible project by midday, Friday 13 June 2025 here: https://www.horsham.gov.uk/business/business-funding/rural-england-prosperity-fund
Please note that the funding is for projects in rural areas in Horsham District, which excludes Horsham town centre.
The Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) is a top-up to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, a central pillar of the UK government's Levelling Up agenda. Horsham District has been allocated £261,477, which can be spent during financial year 2025/26.