LEP invests £27m in job-creating schemes
The Marches Local Enterprise is investing more than £27m in a programme of high-profile schemes which it says will create more than 1,700 jobs and boost growth across the region.
The LEP says the six schemes awarded funding will unlock 15 hectares of land for employment, sites for nearly 500 homes and create new training, health and retail facilities.
The schemes in Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin awarded the funding are:
• New Primary Care Centre at the Tannery, Shrewsbury – £2.06m
• New infrastructure and building investment at Hereford Enterprise Zone – £5.4m
• Marches Centre of Excellence in Health and Allied Health and Social Care, Telford- £3.5m
• Oswestry Infrastructure Works – £5m
• Phase 1 of development at Ross-on-Wye Enterprise Park – £4.5m
• Stronger Communities Regeneration Sites – Station Quarter, Donnington & Wellington – £7m
LEP chair Mandy Thorn MBE said the schemes had been awarded the Growth Deal investment after a “rigorous£ appraisal process. The funding, for spending by March 2021 under Government rules, was originally allocated to the South Wye Transport project in Herefordshire which is currently paused during a review by Herefordshire Council.
“These schemes will play a crucial part in boosting the economy of their local communities – and the region as a whole – for many years to come,” she said.
“As a package, we expect them to create 1,749 gross jobs over 12.17 hectares of employment space, safeguard a further 26 jobs, unlock land for 495 homes and provide
1,280 square metres of new or improved training floorspace to benefit 1,313 new learners.
“All the projects have had to draw up a full business case which has been submitted to detailed scrutiny by our commissioning group and independent evaluators.
“As a result we are certain that these schemes will not only deliver real growth, jobs and improved services and infrastructure for their communities, but also represent the best possible value for taxpayers’ money.”
