Somerset Rural Renaissance | Programmes in Rural Somerset

Rural Regeneration - Supporting the Economy of Somerset

Funds from the Rural Renaissance Scheme have been allocated to projects from one of three programmes. At the end of the three year Scheme, the various projects will have:

1. Directly supported up to 1,000 businesses and encouraged the sharing of expertise and knowledge by over 100 of these;

2. Assisted over 550 individuals with learning skills and provided employment support for over 50 individuals;

3. Directly created or safeguarded in excess of 30 jobs, with a much larger number created or safeguarded as a secondary, or knock-on, effect.

rural image Main Rural Renaissance Programme – over 20 large scale projects to support the local economy, creating and safeguarding jobs, creating new businesses, providing advice and technical support to existing businesses, and providing skills training. 2008-9 Rural Renaissance programme now officially launched. Funding available.

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10 Radio DJ Access to Services Programme – This programme ran from early 2007 to March 31st 2008 and has now closed. During this time over £500,000 of investment was granted to projects.

wivey link car These comprised over 20 smaller scale social and community projects that aimed to deliver new services in an innovative way or helped safeguard existing facilities by providing additional elements.

Rural Renaissance Workspace Programme – the conversion and re-use of redundant buildings for new workspace – 10 projects across the County. All are capital funds provided mainly to private businesses.2008-9 Workspace Programme now launched - further funding available.