Lisburn and Castlereagh Businesses benefit from recent Rural Business Development Grant Scheme

July 6, 2020

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is delighted to promote one of the successful applications of a pilot small grant programme, which it effectively delivered prior to coronavirus.  Eight micro-business across the council area were allocated a total of £30,893.24. 

This Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Programme (TRPSI) was piloted across all council areas and was funded by the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).  The Department is planning on funding a second round of this programme shortly, so please keep an eye on our social media.

Lynne McCabe from Lisnacurran Country House B&B was a successful grant recipient in early 2020 and she is looking forward to being able to reopen from 3rd July.  Her business received funding for the purchase of a ceiling mounted audio visual system, to allow their expansion within the conferencing market sector.  In addition, Lynne also received grant aid for other items of capital equipment including fixed catering equipment and vintage style external lighting at her B&B premises.

The TRPSI scheme provides micro businesses with a capital grant capped at £4,999 at a match-funding rate of 50% from DAERA and 50% from participating businesses.  Micro businesses are those with less than 10 full time employees.  Eligible businesses must be able to demonstrate they are an existing non-agricultural business based in a rural area. 

Speaking about the upcoming programme, Alderman Jim Dillon MBE, Development Committee Chairman said: “Given the recent Covid-19 pandemic and the significant financial uncertainties within the economy, we are delighted to get another opportunity to offer this small capital grants scheme to local businesses. It will play an important role in enhancing entrepreneurship and growth while tackling poverty and social isolation within rural communities.  I would encourage all smaller rural businesses in the Lisburn Castlereagh area to consider this great opportunity to get assistance, especially if you have been impacted by recent events.”

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is calling on all existing micro-businesses in its area to consider applying to the next round of the Rural Business Development Grant Scheme expected to launch in August 2020.  While we await further details from DAERA, the Programmes Team in Economic Development would like interested organisations to register their interest by emailing sarah.johnston@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk or calling 028 9244 7447 for more information.