North Yorkshire Projects Benefit from Shared Prosperity Fund

The fund gave £16.9 million to county projects. Another £5.4 million came via another fund. Other sources added £16 million more to the pot. Total spending reached £39 million for local projects.

The money came from two prosperity funds. A recent event showcased 791 funded projects. The council distributed the money. They used grants and support programs to help. Projects reached over 50,000 local inhabitants. Projects are making a lasting impact on the area.

Around 2,000 jobs were either created or saved. Over 1,000 businesses got direct support. An export program added £170 million. This boosted the county’s economy.

A regional manager spoke about the fund’s impact. It let them create support programs. These programs helped businesses and communities alike. The funds addressed specific rural issues. They offered tailored help to those who needed it. This led to real and measurable enhancements.

This wasn’t just a routine tick-box exercise. It was a way to fix real local issues. The funds were a mechanism to generate change. It also created new ideas about fund management. Residents and businesses collaborated on these changes.

Small businesses made great strides using these funds. Capital grants and training helped these businesses. They increased resilience and confidence. The funds strengthened their trading performance. This secures the local economy, boosting the region.

One non-profit, located in Knaresborough, used funding well. Better Connect ran an employment support scheme. It was named Rise2Thrive. Another program, Multiply, boosted people’s math skills. Community groups got support and advice. This improved their organizational skills. They needed this to develop.

The fund was crucial for local businesses. Voluntary, community, and social groups were included. Without it, a service gap would have emerged following EU funding cuts. Essential services continued at a vital time. Support became more critical during these difficult times. The money helped stabilize the local economy.

The government announced a one-year fund extension. The fund will last until next March. The fund will provide £8.7 million in funding. The York and North Yorkshire authority will manage it. They’ll oversee the allocation of the funding.