03/09/2025: Breckland allocates £285,000 of funding to rural businesses

Rural businesses across Breckland are set to benefit from a significant investment boost, as Breckland Council has successfully allocated £285,000 in capital funding through the latest round of the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF).

REPF is a UK Government initiative aimed at supporting productivity and prosperity in places that need it most, and in activities that specifically address the particular challenges rural areas face. The Business Grant scheme delivered by Breckland provides capital funding to help rural businesses start up, grow, or diversify. 

The council invited local rural businesses to submit applications for capital projects that could be delivered within the current financial year. The response was overwhelming, with funding requests exceeding £1 million, highlighting the strong ambition and entrepreneurial spirit of Breckland's rural economy. 

Following a rigorous assessment process, the fund is now closed to new applications, and all available funds have been fully allocated. Crucially, this public investment has already unlocked an additional £1,104,341 in private sector funding, bringing the total investment into Breckland's rural economy to £1.4 million. 

The projects funded through the grants span a wide range of industries and purposes, including the purchasing of new production equipment, shop expansion, property upgrades, and enabling business start-ups. These initiatives will create new job opportunities, improve productivity, and enhance the long-term economic vitality of rural communities. 

Councillor Sarah Suggitt, Breckland's Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Housing and Planning, said: "The Rural England Prosperity Fund is making a real difference to our local economy by empowering rural businesses to invest in their future. We are proud to support innovation and sustainable growth that not only benefits individual enterprises but also strengthens the wider Breckland district. The high demand for this funding underlines the appetite for development and the untapped potential of our rural areas." 

To be notified when new grants become available, sign up for updates now by clicking the link:www.breckland.gov.uk/business-grants