Cash Boost for Countryside Ventures: Test Valley’s New Grant Scheme Rolls Out

Picture this: a cosy village pub in the Test Valley countryside, serving up pints and pulling in locals for quiz nights, but struggling with leaky roofs and outdated kit. Help is at hand. Test Valley Borough Council just unveiled its Rural Business and Community Enterprise Fund, a fresh pot of cash aimed at keeping these rural lifelines buzzing.

The scheme dishes out grants between £1,000 and £10,000, with £100,000 up for grabs each year through 2025/26 and 2026/27. It’s all about backing businesses and groups that mix profit with community good, like shops stocking local produce or charities firing up childcare spots.

The goal? Pump up the local economy, sharpen skills and build tougher outfits against tough times, all while nudging towards net zero.

Who can dip in? Pretty much any setup with legal chops: private firms, charities, voluntary crews or even councils. Your project’s got to sit in the borough’s rural patches, and you’ll need to chip in at least 20% of costs, with the fund covering the rest up to 80%. Think capital spends like refurb jobs or gear buys, or one-offs such as staff training. No dice on everyday bills like wages, though.

Spot on examples include sprucing up a rural social club, a farm branching into eco-tours, or a thatcher grabbing new tools.

“We know how important rural businesses and community organisations are to the fabric of Test Valley,”

“This fund is about helping them to grow, adapt, and continue serving local people for years to come.”

Councillor Alison Johnston, the climate and countryside lead.

Fancy a go? Apply online through the council site with your org details, project plan and quotes. They review rolling, with calls in four weeks. Chat to a Community Engagement Officer first if you’re unsure about fitting the bill or eligible zones.

This isn’t just paperwork; it’s a lifeline for spots like Andover’s outskirts or Romsey’s hamlets, where isolation bites hard. Local traders reckon it could spark a wave of tweaks, from solar panels on sheds to pop-up markets. With applications open now, rural Test Valley feels a bit brighter already.