RDI has won a tender from the The National Forest Company to run Making Woods Work; a two-year programme designed to boost the economic potential of woodland businesses in and around The National Forest. Making Woods Work has been developed by the National Forest Company and is jointly funded with East Midlands Development Agency (emda). The programme will provide business advice which complements that provided by Business Link, carry out promotional and awareness raising activities and run a number of wood-themed events in order to boost landscape-based tourism, wood energy, crafts, construction, recreation and leisure activities in the area.
The National Forest covers parts of north-west Leicestershire, south Derbyshire and Staffordshire and over an area of 200 square miles more than 7.7m trees have been planted in past 15 years. Ben Scotting, the project manager says: "There are many new or existing businesses which could benefit from the large resource of young woodlands that require thinning. One of the potential markets is firewood, one of our oldest and most reliable forms of fuel. Today modern boilers and stoves can use wood to create heat, hot water or generate electricity, achieving carbon reduction targets, stimulating the local rural economy and alleviating fuel poverty. There is scope in The National Forest to encourage the woodfuel supply chain and to install modern boiler applications. This project will help to scope such opportunities out, whilst ensuring that biodiverse and economically useful woods are available in the future."
Andrew Morgan, emda’s Skills and Communities Director, says: “Preserving and enhancing the region’s natural resources is vital in ensuring sustainable economic growth. This project really taps into this ethos, and aims to support the ongoing development of the woodland related economy in the region and generate further interest in the Rural Development Programme for England grant scheme. Our investment of £110,000 highlights emda’s commitment to maximising the opportunities for all businesses associated with The National Forest and the surrounding rural area.”
The project further establishes RDI’s reputation for delivering rural-based projects which are looking to engender sustainable, low-carbon options for businesses which wish to exploit new opportunities in growing woodlands or with timber technologies.
