LEP-funded projects set to unlock £124m of wider investment

Tim Pile

Funding managed by the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership is set to unlock £124m of investment to support the economic growth of the wider region.

As part of GBSLEP’s Local Growth Programme, investment for its first 20 completed projects has been delivered through the Local Growth Fund, via the three Growth Deals agreed with Government.

From educational ventures such as the Virtual Reality and Robotics Development Centre in Solihull to a major programme of regeneration in East Staffordshire, £38m has ben directly invested, helping to improve connectivity, upskill workers and support wider investment I the region

Tim Pile, chair of GBSLEP, said: “GBSLEP is committed to raising the prospects and economic future of every individual and business in Greater Birmingham and Solihull, and these projects demonstrate that we’re achieving this.

“It is hugely rewarding to see the public and private sectors working together to create thousands of jobs and make a real economic impact across the region. These projects reflect a forward-thinking region with huge potential, which welcomes collaboration with other like-minded organisations keen to make a significant impact on our local economy.

“The diversity of the 20 completed projects and their focus on high-growth sectors illustrates our aim to carve a real legacy of sustained economic growth for generations to come.”

With many emerging projects and opportunities set to further stimulate economic prosperity across the region, such as HS2, there was every reason to be optimistic about the future, he added.

In line with the LEP’s focus on skills development, key projects include Solihull College’s revolutionary Virtual Reality and Robotics Centre – an innovative facility aiming to equip workers to be at the forefront of rapidly evolving technological industries. The centre welcomed its first intake of students in September 2017.

The LEP has also worked with its counterparts in the wider region in order to deliver its Local Growth Programme. Highlights include a partnership with Worcestershire LEP to part-fund the newly-built North Worcestershire Centre of Engineering Excellence – a facility focused on delivering advanced manufacturing training, education and assessment, including the provision of practical apprenticeships. It is run by specialist training provider and registered educational charity, Midland Group Training Services.

LEP investments have also unlocked a collection of infrastructure developments such as the East Staffordshire Regeneration Programme, supported by £1.5m of Local Growth Funding. This has enabled remediation works to be carried out across three brownfield sites, releasing £5m of dormant capital investment in land assets. All three sites are now undergoing sales and planning processes, which will see the development of more than 10,000 sqm of office space, up to 250 new homes and 500 new jobs.

The 20 completed projects are:

Advanced Life Science Facilities, Solihull College
Centre for Advanced Aeronautical Provision, Solihull College
Chester Road, Birmingham
East Staffordshire Growth and Regeneration Programme
Food and Drinks Advanced Manufacturing Facility, Birmingham Metropolitan College
Food Technology Hub, UCB
Journey Times Reliability Improvements to Growth Areas Phase 1
Kingswood Lakeside Access Phase 1
Lode Lane – Phase 1
Lode Lane – Phase 2
Meeting the Skills Needs of Local Businesses, South & City College
Metro Extension – Centenary Square
Metro Extension – Eastside
Midland Metro Catenary-Free Project
North Worcestershire Centre of Engineering Excellence, MGTS
South Kidderminster Enterprise Park – Hoobrook Link Road
Universities@IBC
Virtual Reality and Robotics Development Centre, Solihull College
West Midlands Safari Park Skills Academy
Wholesale Markets, Birmingham

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