“We all know that rural areas are economically, socially, and culturally vital to our nation” says Michael Fabricant. “In England, they are 85% of our land, home to 9.6 million people, and contribute up to £260 billion to our economy. The Department for the Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs, together with Department for Levelling Up has launched the Rural England Prosperity Fund to support rural areas throughout England and Lichfield District Council has been awarded £400,000 from that Fund”.

“The Fund will provide capital grants to rural communities and businesses to support their development, including farm diversification, projects to boost rural tourism, and community infrastructure projects like electric vehicle charging stations. The fund will help people start local businesses and create employment opportunities in rural areas and this is good news for Lichfield District!”  Michael adds.  “As Cllr Tom Marshall the Chairman of the Planning Committee of Lichfield District Council has said, the Government is placing a high priority on food production.  Making farms ever more viable is a priority and this Fund, to be administered by the Council, will help.”