Ripley, Belper, Heanor and Alfreton are being given the chance to benefit from a new project fund that will help develop and improve the towns.
The Progressive Towns Grant Fund will award grants of between £5,000 and £15,000 for projects that can demonstrate an economic benefit and improve the quality of life for residents, businesses and visitors.
Amber Valley Borough Council will be working in partnership with Derbyshire County Council to support the market towns of Amber Valley in the delivery of their economic regeneration projects. The County Council have launched the Fund as part of their Market Towns Project.
Councillor Stephen Hayes, Deputy Leader of Amber Valley Borough Council and Cabinet Member with responsibility for regeneration said “This is a fantastic opportunity for people living and working in the borough’s four towns to bid for money to support projects and initiatives that will benefit the local community.”
Applicants will need to demonstrate that their project involves or is supported by residents and will directly benefit the local community.
Bidding rounds for the grants are anticipated every six months and each round will have a specific theme. The first round of grants, which will need to be spent by end of March 2008, is within the theme of ‘Investment Readiness’ and will focus on supporting capital projects within the towns.
For further information about the grant scheme please contact Nawaz Khan at Derbyshire County Council on 01629 580000 or the Regeneration Team at Amber Valley Borough Council on 01773 841542.
Ends.
News release issued by Lisa Garnham, PR and Communications Manager at Amber Valley Borough Council, telephone 01773 841655.
Notes for editors:
The ‘Progressive Towns’ Grant Fund is being jointly funded by the Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership (DDEP) and the East Midlands Development Agency (emda).
Projects will need to show that they are supported by the local community and organisations applying for funds must be a bona fide legal entity.
