Boost for small tourism businesses in Carmarthenshire
A forthcoming £1.59million capital grant scheme to help small tourism businesses across rural Carmarthenshire to upgrade and improve is about to be launched by Carmarthenshire County Council.
The Strengthening the Tourism Appeal of Rural Carmarthenshire Grant Scheme has received funding through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 which is funded by the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
The grant scheme aims to strengthen Carmarthenshire’s position as a year round premier tourist destination by helping businesses to develop and promote themselves.
The project comprises of two grant pots which offer 80 per cent funding against total project costs. The first grant is open to all micro-enterprises involved in the tourism industry across rural Carmarthenshire and aims to improve the quality of the tourism product in rural Carmarthenshire by financially supporting the improvement or upgrade of accommodation and tourism facilities. There will be a particular focus on investments which help to extend the tourist season and promote Carmarthenshire as a year round quality destination. Grants are available at levels of between £5,000 and £25,000.
The second grant within the scheme aims to encourage the ‘greening’ of tourism operations in order to build a base of accredited green tourism businesses. Grants under this element are awarded at levels of between £5,000 and £10,000.
A third element to the scheme aims to fund five large projects that develop existing or create new tourism attractions or facilities that are able to demonstrate a potential to increase the number of tourists to the area. The Distinctive Rural Hubs grant will provide funding at levels of between £25,000 and £75,000 at 50 per cent of total project costs.
The project aims to safeguard existing, and create new employment opportunities within the rural tourism sector and encourage the promotion of a sense of place within the tourism community that heightens the visitor experience.
In order to qualify for assistance, businesses must be located in one of the following wards: Abergwili, Carmarthen Town North, Carmarthen Town South, Carmarthen Town West, Cenarth, Cilycwm, Cynwyl Elfed, Cynwyl Gaeo, Gorslas, Laugharne, Llanboidy, Llanddarog, Llandeilo, Llandovery, Llandybie, Llanegwad, Llanfihangel Aberbythych, Llanfihangel-ar-Arth, Llangadog, Llangeler, Llangunnor, Llangyndeyrn, Llansteffan, Llanybydder, Manordeilo and Salem, St Clears, St Ishmael, Trelech, and Whitland.
Carmarthenshire County Council executive board member for regeneration and leisure Cllr Clive Scourfield said: “The Strengthening the Tourism Appeal of Rural Carmarthenshire Grant Scheme will help us to develop the tourism industry and therefore local economy across the rural part of the county by strengthening the many small enterprises that are the backbone of Carmarthenshire as a destination.”
For more information, please contact Siân Williams (01267) 242432/ SiEWilliams@carmarthenshire.gov.uk
The Strengthening the Tourism Appeal of Rural Carmarthenshire Grant Scheme has received funding through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 which is funded by the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
The grant scheme aims to strengthen Carmarthenshire’s position as a year round premier tourist destination by helping businesses to develop and promote themselves.
The project comprises of two grant pots which offer 80 per cent funding against total project costs. The first grant is open to all micro-enterprises involved in the tourism industry across rural Carmarthenshire and aims to improve the quality of the tourism product in rural Carmarthenshire by financially supporting the improvement or upgrade of accommodation and tourism facilities. There will be a particular focus on investments which help to extend the tourist season and promote Carmarthenshire as a year round quality destination. Grants are available at levels of between £5,000 and £25,000.
The second grant within the scheme aims to encourage the ‘greening’ of tourism operations in order to build a base of accredited green tourism businesses. Grants under this element are awarded at levels of between £5,000 and £10,000.
A third element to the scheme aims to fund five large projects that develop existing or create new tourism attractions or facilities that are able to demonstrate a potential to increase the number of tourists to the area. The Distinctive Rural Hubs grant will provide funding at levels of between £25,000 and £75,000 at 50 per cent of total project costs.
The project aims to safeguard existing, and create new employment opportunities within the rural tourism sector and encourage the promotion of a sense of place within the tourism community that heightens the visitor experience.
In order to qualify for assistance, businesses must be located in one of the following wards: Abergwili, Carmarthen Town North, Carmarthen Town South, Carmarthen Town West, Cenarth, Cilycwm, Cynwyl Elfed, Cynwyl Gaeo, Gorslas, Laugharne, Llanboidy, Llanddarog, Llandeilo, Llandovery, Llandybie, Llanegwad, Llanfihangel Aberbythych, Llanfihangel-ar-Arth, Llangadog, Llangeler, Llangunnor, Llangyndeyrn, Llansteffan, Llanybydder, Manordeilo and Salem, St Clears, St Ishmael, Trelech, and Whitland.
Carmarthenshire County Council executive board member for regeneration and leisure Cllr Clive Scourfield said: “The Strengthening the Tourism Appeal of Rural Carmarthenshire Grant Scheme will help us to develop the tourism industry and therefore local economy across the rural part of the county by strengthening the many small enterprises that are the backbone of Carmarthenshire as a destination.”
For more information, please contact Siân Williams (01267) 242432/ SiEWilliams@carmarthenshire.gov.uk
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