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North Yorkshire County Council is to submit a £5.4m bid to the Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund to bring ‘lagging’ towns up to par.
Authorities say the funding would help launch micro and small businesses, rural circular economy projects and volunteering and social action schemes to develop social and human capital in local towns.
The plan, which is due to be approved at a meeting of North Yorkshire’s county executive on Tuesday, does not specify which places the authority considers “backward”, but says government funding will be split evenly between projects to strengthen communities and places and those aimed at supporting local businesses.
The first group of grants would be for small investments in micro and small enterprises in rural areas, for the development of the local social economy and support for innovation, and for the development and promotion of the visitor economy.
Other grants, totaling around £2.7 million, will be invested in capacity building and infrastructure support for local civil society and community groups.
If approved by the government, this second group of grants would enable the provision of infrastructure for rural communities that supports resilience and nature-based solutions, as well as the creation and enhancement of local rural green spaces.
In addition, capital grants would be awarded to support community green spaces, waterways and levees, the “greening” of streets and trails, and the incorporation of natural features into broader public spaces.
Funding would also target cultural, historical and heritage institutions to improve visitor experiences and accessibility, rural circular economy projects and local arts, cultural, heritage and creative activities.
Finally, capital grants would be used for “impactful volunteering and social action projects”, to develop social and human capital in local places.
The application document said the county faces a productivity deficit compared to the UK average, partly due to low levels of exports and inward investment and reliance on low-skilled jobs.
He adds: “North Yorkshire is predominantly defined by its rural landscape. While a beautiful backdrop for tourism and a strong USP for surface living, it also creates deep-rooted challenges related to accessibility, isolation and climate change.
“With two National Parks, three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, over 70 per cent of the geography used for agriculture and unique marine and coastal assets, North Yorkshire is uniquely placed to use its natural assets to capture and store carbon.”
“There is an opportunity to make the most of these strengths and bring the lagging cities within the sub-region up to the level.”
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