GROW South Antrim will close its first call for applications under the Farm Diversification and Business Creation & Development themes at 4pm on Monday, 20th April. This first application call is for farmers or members of a farm family and private and social economy enterprises based in the rural areas of Antrim, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey Borough Councils. Emma Stubbs, Manager of the GROW South Antrim programme comments, "GROW can offer individuals and small businesses grants of up to £50,000 to expand, develop and diversify their business activities. Grant aid will be awarded towards the purchase of capital items, for example building works and new equipment and up to £5,000 will be available towards marketing. I would encourage anyone in the rural area who is thinking about starting a new business, or owners of small businesses, with less than 10 employees, who are thinking about expanding to get in contact with GROW to find out whether you can benefit from the Programme." GROW South Antrim's funding comes from the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, which is part financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. GROW also has funding available under the themes of Tourism & Heritage, Village Renewal & Development and Basic Services for the Economy & Rural Population and the first call for applications under these themes will be opened in mid May. For further details on any of GROW South Antrim's Programmes, please visit the GROW website (www.growsouthantrim.com) or contact Emma or Sara in the GROW office on 028 9448 1311.
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