Market towns regeneration

The Herefordshire market towns are recognised as a major asset for the county, but each has its individual strengths and weaknesses. With the exception of Hereford itself, all the market towns are in the Rural Regeneration Zone and can benefit from projects funded through that source. However, the primary funding source for regeneration projects in market towns is, or has been, the Market Towns Initiative (MTI). This is a funding programme designed to assist with the regeneration of Market Towns and their hinterland, administered by the Regional Development Agency, Advantage West Midlands. The process begins with a "health check" to identify the town's strengths and weaknesses leading on to producing an Action Plan to tackle the weaknesses and build upon the strengths.

The overall aim of the programme is to build a strong and competitive local economy by investing in local people and businesses, and to enhance the local environment promoting it as an attractive and accessible environment for people to live in and to visit.

All Herefordshire market towns have either completed their three year programme and moved on to post-MTI working, or are in the the throes of MTI. The funding programmes aim to realise the regeneration aspirations of market towns through implementing the projects identified and developed through the planning process.

Many of the projects funded under the initiative have been completed but our commitment to support and sustain local community continues….

Economic Regeneration Officers

The Economic Regeneration Officers focus mainly on economic regeneration projects for the benefit of people living and working in the area. However, the role of the Economic Regeneration Officers in the Market Towns is also to help facilitate community groups and organisations in developing a thriving Market Town and surrounding villages.

Have you got an idea for a project? Want to find some funding for it? Use the menu on the left to find contact details for the relevant Economic Regeneration Officer. If the MTI can't help try the Funding Directory - see link below.