The South Lakes is an ideal location for government's new £15 million rural business hub says MP

Local MP Tim Farron has said that the South Lakes would be an ideal location for one of the government's proposed 'Rural business hubs' and a slice of a £15 million pot. The pilot projects aim to support for local businesses and help grow the rural economy.

The recent creation of Rural Growth Networks will help rural areas overcome barriers to growth, such as a lack of suitable premises, and poor provision of infrastructure, such as superfast broadband and mobile networks but bringing a rural business hub could help attract national businesses to our area.

Each pilot scheme will be run in cooperation with the council and the Local Enterprise Partnership who will supply business advice and provide workplaces and infrastructure to rural businesses

The Government is investing around £15 million in the pilots, including up to £2.3 million to support rural enterprises led by women. In addition, businesses in Rural Growth Networks will enjoy preferential status when applying for grants from government.

The closing date for applications to be a rural business hub is 31 January 2012.

Tim said: "I've today called on the council and Cumbria LEP to back the bid for the South Lakes to be a rural business hub. Being able to attract investment and jobs is a priority of mine and I am doing all I can to support the economy and provide well paid jobs for our community. Recently we helped to secure a major investment for Gilkes to help create 500 jobs and safeguard another 250 but we can and must do even more and that is why I want to make us Cumbria's economic hub. This will also help us unlock extra funding from the private sector."