Greater Dartmoor Local Enterprise Action Fund limit raised

Having already successfully committed over £600k to 31 businesses, the upper threshold for applications to the Greater Dartmoor Local Enterprise Action Fund (GD LEAF) has been increased from £100k to £150k. This will open up the funding opportunity to larger projects in the Dartmoor area.

Those interested in applying for funding should check their business/project is in the eligible GD LEAF area before submitting a project proposal. All application details including maps of the GD LEAF area are available on www.drcompany.co.uk/gdleaf. Applications will be open for a limited time only, and full applications can take some time to complete, so the DR Company are urging any interested projects and businesses to begin the process as soon as possible.

GD LEAF funding can cover costs associated with capital items such as building work and materials, equipment, marketing and software. Projects/businesses who submit proposals which meet the eligibility criteria, are assigned a DR Company Project Advisor to help each applicant take their application forward. Applications are assessed by the GD LEAF board which is comprised of a wide range of volunteer experts and professionals from the local area.

The DR Company uses its expertise and experience to guide applicants through the application process from start to finish. In addition, the DR Company can offer a range of competitively priced services from bid writing to project planning for applicants who would like further advice and help.

Projects that have already been awarded money from GD LEAF include: a farm which has used the money to add an automated flushing and dipping system to its milking parlour; a business which will purchase a purpose-built Alpine tractor for forestry work with the money; and a business which will use the money to construct a purpose-built structure for timber storage and processing, as well as to buy equipment for extracting and cutting timber and firewood. For more details visit www.drcompany.co.uk/gd-leaf-success-stories/