Northern Ireland gives out £180k grants to rural businesses as part of investment scheme

Three rural companies have been awarded a £180,000 grant from Northern Ireland's Rural Affairs Minister Michelle McIlveen.

The three businesses, from the Causeway Coast and Glens area, were awarded the money to help develop.

The grants are the first to be handed out under the Rural Business Investment Scheme.

The scheme provides investment support for the creation and development of micro and small enterprises (including farm diversification and private tourism businesses) in rural areas.

Garvagh company A Farlow (Engineering) Ltd has been offered £90,000 towards construction of a new workshop.

An offer of £90,000 has been made to Currie Engineering Ltd, also of Garvagh, to help purchase specialist equipment.

And Ballymoney-based Agquip Ltd is to receive up to £6,005 to help take forward a digital marketing project.

'Wealth of entrepreneurial talent'

Highlighting the benefits the funding will bring, the Minister said: "There is a wealth of entrepreneurial talent and potential in this area, and indeed across all of our rural communities.

"These three companies typify these qualities, and I wish them every success as they take their projects forward.

"Around £24 million of support will be made available under the Rural Business Investment Scheme to help local businesses in rural areas grow and develop."

All businesses applying for investment require a business plan to support their application at time of applying.