West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin today welcomed a scheme aimed at offering a cash injection to boost rural businesses. The nationwide fund – worth £60 million – will help rural-based businesses to become more profitable. Grants will help to co-fund projects up to an maximum of £1m and is aimed specifically at farming, rural tourism, forestry businesses and rural micro-businesses. The grants – which are part of a package of measure to worth £165 million to boost the rural economy are being made available through the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and were confirmed by Secretary of State Caroline Spelman today (Monday March 5). Harriett commented: “I am delighted to see Government offering a boost to rural business. There is also a double boost for rural tourism with funds also being made available by the Tourism Department to help encourage people to holiday in the UK this year. “Every bit of help will be welcome and I hope many local businesses will be able to take advantage of such schemes.” Applications for grants are now being accepted and further information is available at: http://rdpenetwork.defra.gov.uk/funding-sources/rural-economy-grant