Rural communities to get a £3.4 million boost

Rural communities to get a £3.4 million boost

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have successfully been awarded £3.4 million from the new £110m Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF). The award will support projects that will boost the rural economy and create jobs across the rural areas in the region.

The Fund will sit alongside UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), of which the Combined Authority have bid for just over £9.8 million, to be spent on creating quality jobs and healthy lives across all six districts in the county.

The REPF will provide capital grants for:

• converting farm buildings and supporting diversification to other business uses;
• building rural tourism, such as visitor accommodation;
• provision of gigabit-capable digital infrastructure at community hubs such as village halls, pubs and post offices;
• developing, restoring or refurbishing local natural, cultural and heritage assets and sites;
• providing new footpaths and cycle paths, particularly in areas of health need.

Mayor of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Dr Nik Johnson, said:

“This funding will be invested into our rural communities and businesses to unlock quality jobs and promote a sense of community in our rural areas.

“Often, those living in rural communities feel isolated and the interconnectivity this funding can bring, both digitally and physically with foot and cycle paths, will be enormously beneficial. This money will be used to address inequalities within our county and promote happier, healthier and safer lives.”

The fund is due to open for grant applications in Spring 2023.