A FOOD excellence centre, new link road and a wetland reserve are just some of the projects bidding for money from the £1.4bn Regional Growth Fund.
Businesses across Shropshire and Herefordshire have joined others across the region in submitting their proposals to central Government in the hope of receiving grants to boost their projects.
The Shropshire Food Enterprise Centre, in Shrewsbury, is wishing to secure £5.8m to build a sister site in Hereford.
There is also a bid for £1.1m to develop a marina and wetland nature reserve, in Oswestry, along with associated commercial development while the Hereford City Futures Growth package is seeking £20m to construct a new link road.
These are among £36m worth of bids being supported by the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership, made up of businesses and groups across Shropshire and Herefordshire.
It is estimated the projects could create upwards of 3,000 private sector jobs.
The three-year RGF replaces the £1.4bn which was previously available annually through regional development agencies such as Advantage West Midlands.
Marches LEP chairman Dr Geoffrey Davies OBE said: “We are delighted to be championing these bids for RGF funding which demonstrate the desire of both the private and public sector in the Marches to create the conditions for growth and employment.
“The RGF fund has been set up to provide economic development funding and all applications must be match-funded by the private sector.
“These projects are likely to create thousands of jobs across the Marches.
“We have also written to the Government to lobby for European Regional Development Funding which, if agreed, would significantly increase the amount of resources available.”
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