LOCAL leaders in Cheshire and Warrington have been praised for their use of targeted Government public funds to triple the amount of private sector investment in the local economy.
Communities minister Kris Hopkins single out Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) for congratulations.
He used the latest figures from the Government’s Growing Places Fund to show how £650 million of Government funding has secured a further £2.6 billion of extra investment – with £1.8 billion coming from private sector partners.
Across the country, the investment is funding 305 local projects which the partnerships believe will create up to 77,000 new homes, 5.3 million square metres of retail, industrial and office floor space, 217,000 jobs and 5,300 businesses.
Cheshire and Warrington LEP used £3 million of their Growing Places Fund on a loan basis to unlock £7.6 million in private sector investment to support the Omega project in Warrington.
The project, finalised in August, funded the construction of an access road and infrastructure to open up land for distribution units.
The development is expected to generate 98,000 square metres of industrial floorspace and the creation of 1,800 jobs.
Mr Hopkins said: “I believe that local economies should be led locally, with a focus on bringing private sector investment right across the country. That’s why we gave local enterprise partnerships not just the money but the powers to end their dependency on Whitehall and drive their own economies.
“I am pleased to see them using this funding with energy and imagination to support businesses, create jobs, and make all regions of Britain a great place to do business.”
David Frost, chairman of the Local Enterprise Partnership Network said: “The Growing Places Fund has been instrumental in unlocking key investment sites across England, ensuring that much needed local growth is brought forward.
“This unique nature of the revolving fund has enabled Local Enterprise Partnerships to focus on key local projects.”
LOCAL leaders in Cheshire and Warrington have been praised for their use
of targeted Government public funds to triple the amount of private
sector investment in the local economy.
Praise for local enterprise team
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
