Green projects have been to the fore in Derbyshire Dales District Council's £2.7m UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Investment Plan.
The Council will be bidding soon for another tranche of government funding to help Dales businesses and communities to develop and build resilience after the current three-year Plan closes in March this year.
Among 61 Dales businesses already supported by the Plan with grants ranging from £2,000 to £40,000 are companies and organisations that have strong environmental credentials.
Lang Architects, based in Matlock, won funding to help their architectural practice gain accreditation to design energy efficient buildings. Clare Lang said: "We now have the knowledge and accreditation to design passive houses whilst also incorporating the principle of low energy design into our other projects."
Pioneering sustainable products for more than 30 years, TDP Ltd, based in Wirksworth, has been awarded grant funding for new equipment to assist their manufacture of outdoor furniture from recycled plastic.
Managing Director Rob Barlow said: "The help provided by Derbyshire Dales District Council's Economic Development Department was invaluable to us in applying for the grant. This support for our manufacturing sector is very encouraging. We are now looking at further expansion, including recruitment to add another member to our busy production team.”
Sir Richard Arkwright’s Cromford Mills charity received business advice and an energy audit through the District Council's Accelerator Project, delivered by East Midlands Chamber. Cromford Mills Chief Executive Éilis Scott said: "We greatly appreciate the invaluable support given through the Accelerator project. Specialist advice is helping us address our financial hurdles and review our energy management.
Alphaweld Ltd, a national engineering company based in Calver, used a business development grant to fund solar panels and LED lighting to reduce CO2 emissions, electrical consumption and costs.
Director Gary Grant said: "As a fabrication and welding company our industry is a high user of energy and we were keen to find ways to reduce our carbon footprint. The business development grant has allowed us to purchase solar panels and LED lighting throughout our workshops which wouldn’t have otherwise been financially viable."
Solar panels have also been grant funded at award winning tourism business Hoe Grange Holidays, based near Brassington, together with 1:1 specialist advice, an energy audit of the property and free training courses.
These schemes were all funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Other benefiting local businesses come from a range of sectors, from service industries to manufacturing, IT and engineering.
For information go to www.investinderby shiredales.org/grants or email economic development@derby shiredales.gov.uk