Developers alerted to launch of fourth round of Growing Places Fund
THE Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) has announced the launch of round four of its Growing Places Fund initiative.
With up to £3m available for this round of the fund, applications are invited from 9 February to 13 March.
Support is being offered to ‘oven ready’ infrastructure projects through grants and secured business loans which will directly result in the creation or safeguarding of jobs and the growth of the GBSLEP economy within two years.
Rounds one, two and three have so far delivered £20.2m to a range of projects including the Advanced Manufacturing Hub Phases 1 to 3, Hoobrook Relief Road Phase 2 in Kidderminster, Women’s Enterprise Hub, Red Carpet Cinema in Barton-under-Needwood and Solihull Town Centre Gateway.
In total, these projects are forecast to create nearly 10,000 jobs, more than 1,000 homes and 28,000 sq m of commercial space in the next ten years
Paul Heaven, chair of the GBSLEP Growing Places Fund Committee said: “Since its initial launch in 2012, the Growing Places Fund has kick started a number of projects around the GBSLEP region.
“We have seen a number of successful ventures come to fruition, creating much needed jobs to boost the economy and aid recovery from the recession.
“The on-going investment into this fund is helping projects, which have previously been stalled, become a reality and stimulate continued growth in the region.
“I would encourage any parties with a project that requires some additional funding to unlock it to find out more about Growing Places and ensure they get their applications in within the timeframe.”
