Grants up to £15,000 now available for businesses in the rural areas

Ashford Borough Council has once again successfully secured funding from the UK Government’s final round of Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF), as it seeks to further support rural areas in the borough.

Ashford Borough Council has secured £122,000 REPF funding, specifically to support rural businesses in the borough up to March 2026.

From Ashford Borough Council’s government approved REPF plan, the money will go towards the following capital grant schemes, devised to help businesses and organisations deliver on REPF objectives and assist with much needed support.

• Rural Green Business Grant – to provide grants to support energy efficiency or energy transition projects in commercial premises in rural parts of the borough.
• Rural Place and Provenance Grant – to provide grants to support rural food and drink producers, hospitality and tourism attractions or venues, to increase productivity and sustainability for businesses. In addition, to support the creation of start-up spaces and tackle the ‘Last Mile’ challenge in rural areas, seeking to create viable travel routes to increase visitors to rural destinations.  

So far, the grant schemes have supported 46 businesses and are set to lead to approximately 51,000 kg of C02 saved across the borough each year. In addition, they are set to lead to the creation of 50 jobs in rural areas of the borough.  

The window for applications is now live until 11:59pm on 31st October 2025. After this, applications will only reopen if any of the funding hasn’t been spent.  

For full details regarding the REPF grants, including eligibility, please visit the Ashford Borough Council website.

The Rural England Prosperity Fund falls within two categories, ‘supporting rural communities’ and ‘supporting rural businesses’. Further information about these funds, and other government community funds is available on the government website.

One example of the REPF grants leading to success is Ashford Instrumentation, who thanks to funding from the grants, were able to install a 17,000 kW system of solar panels on their roof.

This has enabled them to generate 18,836 kWh per year, which will save them £142,000 over a 25-year period, as well as saving 3,999 kg of CO2 every year – the equivalent of 14,000 miles in car journeys.

“I’m delighted that The Rural England Prosperity Fund grants are open again, as they enable the rural parts of our borough to tackle some crucial issues and to create additional opportunities for people,” said Cllr Noel Ovenden, Leader of Ashford Borough Council and Cabinet Member for Prosperity and Resource.

“This short-term government funding will support our communities and businesses in a number of different ways and that can only be a boost for the borough.”