Companies in Kent – particularly in rural areas – are being encouraged to bid for £180 million of EU funding being offered over the next six years.

The cash will be funnelled to firms through the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP), a business-led body designed to identify projects which will stimulate economic growth.

The first £17 million allocation of the money – available to firms in Kent, Essex and East Sussex – will be used to help research and innovation (£3m), for low carbon projects (£3m), to make small and medium sized firms more compeititive (£6m) and to help small and micro businesses in rural areas (£1m).

Launching the funding programme, SELEP EU Committee chairman George Kieffer said: “I am delighted new EU funding is available across East Sussex, Essex, Kent, Medway, Southend and Thurrock for new business growth and jobs.

“It’s a huge achievement and the result of co-ordinated work between the LEP, the government, the private and public sectors.

“I would urge every organisation looking to create jobs to look at the SELEP website to day and consider making a bid.”

SELEP is one of only five LEPs across the country launching its programme to support rural enterprise, with the initial focus on agritech and diversification.

Meanwhile, a deal has been formally signed to invest nearly £500 million of government money into the South East over the next six years, which it is hoped will create up to 45,000 jobs.

Kent, East Sussex and Essex are to benefit from the South East Growth Deal signed by Transport Minister Baroness Kramer and Peter Jones, chairman of South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP).

It will spend money on projects like improving highway connections to regeneration work at the Port of Dover, investing in signalling at Ashford International Station and new lorry parking facilities designed to tackle Operation Stack.

It will support growth in the advanced manufacturing sector and an “innovation space” at Rochester Airport, plus a mixed-use redevelopment of Folkestone seafront to provide up to 500 jobs, 300 homes and improved leisure facilities.

“It enables us, and our local partners, to drive forward our shared growth agenda for this part of South East by improving the region’s connectivity, boosting skills and delivering new sustainable communities...” - Peter Jones, SELEP

The agreement also aims to fund the construction of 23,000 homes and to trigger another £700 million of investment from both the public and private sector.

SELEP originally announced its growth deal for £442 million in July, adding an extra £46.1 million of government funding in January.

Kent is due to be given nearly £153 million, with the first payments due in April.

Signing the deal in Thurrock, Baroness Kramer said: “This £500 million investment in the South East will make a phenomenal difference to the whole of the region.

“The government is giving regions the power to make big investments locally to build a stronger economy and a fairer society for all.”

Mr Jones said: “The Growth Deal between ourselves and government is tremendously good news for our businesses and residents.

“It enables us, and our local partners, to drive forward our shared growth agenda for this part of South East by improving the region’s connectivity, boosting skills and delivering new sustainable communities.”

Details at www.southeastlep.com.