The Lancashire Enterprise Partnership has today confirmed that ten schemes in Lancashire have been given the go-ahead by Government as part of the £34.1m allocation awarded to the county through the Getting Building Fund. Steve Fogg, Chair of the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership said, ”This is fantastic news for the county, and I am delighted that all of the schemes which we submitted to Government have successfully secured a part of Lancashire’s £34.1m allocation from the ‘Getting Building Fund’.
”The fund is part of the Government’s drive to minimise the potentially devastating effects on the economy due to the Covid-19 crisis. Money received from this fund will be invested in projects which will create jobs and invest in much needed infrastructure improvements, helping the county recover and bounce back quicker from the pandemic.”
Steve went on to say, ”Working closely with all Lancashire local authorities, Sarah Kemp, the Chief Executive of the LEP and her team, have over the past couple of weeks identified a final list of projects across the county which can start almost immediately, be completed within 18 months and which can deliver jobs and green recovery. The fact that Lancashire has managed to secure a significant amount of funding is testament to the collaborative working between the LEP and its partners to work together to help protect Lancashire’s businesses and the livelihoods of our residents.
”All of the successful ten schemes have demonstrated they have the ability to accelerate growth and create employment, and we have chosen a really good mix of projects which will have an impact across the whole of the county. The schemes range from regeneration projects in some of our towns which have been adversely impacted by Covid-19, to high-end research and development facilities which will contribute to the Government’s clean growth agenda.
”Each day we are hearing of failing businesses and people losing their jobs. The projects which have secured the funding are expected to create over 1,500 jobs for the county, as well as enabling our businesses to become more competitive and take advantage of the opportunities arising from new technologies.
Steve concluded, ”This is a really positive start for the county as we begin our economic recovery in the ‘new normal’ and I am hoping this will be the first of a number of support interventions which we will secure for Lancashire. I am confident that by working together, we can build back stronger. The Lancashire Enterprise Partnership will continue to engage with and listen to businesses to ensure they are getting the support they need to recover from this crisis.”
Projects which has secured funding from the Getting Building Fund are (NB figures have been rounded):