A new wood chipping company has been set up, generating green energy for a number of other businesses, after receiving a £33,980 business grant.
Chessgrove Woodchip Ltd in Bromsgrove, part of a green programme, was recently formed so that virgin wood could be purchased and dried out on site to produce a fuel used in biomass boilers. It is run by the Few family, who own a group of existing businesses on the grounds of Chessgrove Park.
Chessgrove Woodchip Ltd is the latest recipient of a grant from the Worcestershire LEADER Programme. LEADER is part of the Rural Development Programme for England and is delivered locally by Worcestershire County Council and the Worcestershire Local Action Group on behalf of Defra. One new job has been created as a result.
Chessgrove Managing Director Ian Few said: “Chessgrove Woodchip would not exist without the grant. It has allowed us to create the business, to expand our green energy project and create employment”
“We have found the experience very useful. It was a simple process to understand and we feel we’ve had the necessary support to carry out the project.”
Local Action Group Chair Jill Hall said: “Worcestershire LEADER is pleased to be helping Chessgrove achieve their ambitions for the business.
“We are here to support the growth plans of rural small businesses in the county. I would encourage any business with development plans to have a look at our website to see whether you are eligible for our assistance.”
The focus of the LEADER programme is on growing the economies of rural communities by enabling local people to identify and implement solutions to local problems.
The project has received funding from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development under the Rural Development Programme for England. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is the Managing Authority for the Rural Development Programme for England.
For more information, or to find out the ways that your business can be supported please contact Worcestershire Business Central on 01905 677888 or via info@worcestershiregrowthhub.co.uk