BASINGSTOKE and Test Valley councils are set to receive hundreds of thousands of pounds in funding. 

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) and Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) will receive more then £950,000 from the government to help invest in rural areas. 

BDBC will receive £439,658 and TVBC will get £514,097 from the Rural England Prosperity Fund.

This money aims to help support businesses and community organisations, invest in farming, support arts and culture, boost rural tourism and improve community infrastructure projects.

Projects benefitting from the additional funding will improve community facilities and support arts and culture to grow local tourism.

Agricultural businesses looking to expand their remit and rural businesses looking to launch or grow will also receive investment.

The extra funding builds on the Government’s commitment to level up rural areas by delivering major upgrades to connectivity through 'Project Gigabit'.

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Kit Malthouse MP explained that the Rural Prosperity Fund is a new fund that replaces the bureaucratic EU funding system.

He said: "It allows us to work closely with leaders to direct the money where it is most needed. It will go towards helping people start and grow agricultural businesses; projects to boost rural tourism; and infrastructure such as electric vehicle charging stations.

“Driving the right investment into our rural economies is vital if we are to create jobs and close the rural productivity gap while protecting our beautiful countryside.”

The Rural England Prosperity Fund is a rural top up to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and will deliver £110 million to eligible councils.

The funding for BDBC and TVBC totalling £953,754 is for the two financial years 2023/24 and 2024/25. 

Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey said: "Driving investment in rural areas is a vital part of our vision for levelling up the country. The new Rural Prosperity Fund replaces the bureaucratic EU funding system - allowing us to work closely with local leaders to direct funding where it is most needed to close the rural productivity gap, create job opportunities and protect the English countryside.

"This confirmed spending will allow local authorities to deliver on their plans to level up businesses and communities in rural areas from today, in line with their residents’ priorities."