Several North West councils have joined forces to roll out the Cheshire LEADER Programme, which aims to boost rural jobs and economic jobs.
Cheshire East Council in partnership with Cheshire West and Chester Council, Warrington Borough Council and Trafford Council have officially launched the programme targeting rural areas of Cheshire, Warrington and Dunham Massey.
LEADER is part of the Rural Development Programme for England, which is funded by the European Union with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs as the managing authority.
LEADER aims to help create jobs and stimulate economic growth by providing funding for businesses and organisations looking to begin or expand their operations in the rural area.
Decisions on where the grant money is spent will be made by an appointed local action group of key representatives from various organisations in the area, chaired by councillor Rachel Bailey in the east and the Rev Canon David Felix in the west.
Cheshire East Council leader Michael Jones (pictured) said: "LEADER is a unique and valuable funding stream for rural areas and the Cheshire LEADER team are delighted to be able to start working with potential applicants.
"With each LEADER area having its own dedicated programme manager as well as a local action group, we are able to provide a level of support rarely seen in other funding programmes."
The programme is scheduled to run until 2020.
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