The rural West Midlands
The West Midlands has some of the most sparsely populated rural areas in the country, making up 85 per cent of the region, with 20 per cent of our population living there.
The rural economy is typified by high levels of economic activity, employment and business start ups, but these are combined with low wages. In addition, some rural areas are dependent on declining sectors and some market towns are reliant on one or two large employers. One in five people in rural areas lives in financial poverty and the population is ageing.
The role of Advantage West Midlands in rural renaissance
Advantage West Midlands seeks to achieve sustainable development in the rural West Midlands, by improving access to opportunity and the number and quality of jobs available within sustainable rural communities.
Many of the challenges facing the region's rural areas are the same as those in urban areas. However, sometimes distinctive approaches are needed, or specific challenges exist for rural areas that must be dealt with separately.
Our approach to rural renaissance is outlined in our Rural Renaissance Framework and the annual Rural Renaissance Framework Action Plan.
Some of our actions specific to regenerating the rural areas of the West Midlands are:
development of the Rural Development Programme for England
targeting regeneration at the weakest parts of the rural economy through the Rural Regeneration Zone
delivering the Market Towns Initiative and supporting them in their role as important hubs that provide employment and services
taking forward the region's farming and food delivery plan
establishing a rural evidence base providing access to research reports and tools to support policy development