Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Michelle O’Neill has announced a further call for applications to the Processing and Marketing Grant (PMG) Scheme.
The PMG Scheme is an important part of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007-2013 and provides capital grant assistance to local agri food processing businesses. 
This is the final call for applications under the current RDP as the Programme is due to close on 31 March 2015.
Making her announcement, the Minister said: “This popular Scheme is all about helping to develop and improve the economic performance of the agri-food processing sector. Since opening in December 2007 the Scheme has awarded support of £18.6million to 88 agri-food processing businesses across the north. Taking into account a private sector contribution of 60% this equates to a total investment of around £46.5million. It is clear that over the years the Scheme has greatly assisted both the sector and economy.”
The Minister is keen to encourage small processors to take part in the Scheme and in recent years DARD has made a number of administrative changes to help simplify the application and assessment process, for example, there is no longer a requirement to submit a business plan for projects seeking under £50,000 grant.
The Minister added: “To make best use of the limited budget and timeframe to closure of the Scheme, grants of up to £250,000 per approved project are available for the purchase of plant and equipment and/ or minor building alterations. I hope all in the agriculture, horticulture and forestry processing sectors will welcome this final opportunity under the current Programme to avail of financial support.”
The closing date for applications is Friday 20 September 2013. Further information and an application form can be obtained from http://www.dardni.gov.uk/
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