By ajsmith@thekmgroup.co.uk (Alan Smith) Rural businesses and retail centres across Tonbridge and Malling are being offered nearly £500,000 worth of grants to help counter the economic slowdown. The council is planning two types of grant: the first will be specifically for rural business and community projects with grants of up to £25,000 to rural enterprises which are developing new products and services, including farms looking to diversify income streams. The grants will generally be available from next year to fund up to 50 per cent of project costs, rising to 80 per cent in exceptional ci…