LSEP to Invest £10 million into Leicester Shire
LSEP has secured £10million from East Midlands Development Agency (emda) to invest in the local economy for the financial year 2008/09. emda has agreed LSEP’s sub-regional investment plan for that period.
The priority will be to drive forward the productivity of the sub-region and the focus of the investment will be to support business performance, improvement of the skills and provision of appropriate economic infrastructures. It is expected that over 100 projects will be supported.
These projects will contribute to the regeneration of the economy in Leicester Shire by creating new jobs, encouraging new businesses to establish and grow, bringing land and building back into employment use and helping all communities to have the same opportunities.
LSEP are already committed to a number of projects including the construction of the Digital Media Centre in Leicester and a new visitor/welcome centre at Twycross Zoo. The future investment will be shaped by a new long term economic strategy for Leicester and Leicestershire that is under development and expected to be published in May 2008. The strategy will also influence the work of LSEP’s partners including local authorities, colleges and universities in the sub-region and the third sector.
Rick Moore, Chairman of LSEP, said, “It is great news to receive this official confirmation from emda that we will have £10 million to spend in the sub-region during 2008/09. I’m aware that some exciting ideas have been presented to us as to how we can best make use of this investment.”
“We’re excited by all the regeneration that is taking place in Leicester and Leicestershire and LSEP will ensure that it adds value to all these very positive signs of economic growth.”
Andrew Morgan, Director of Skills and Communities at emda said: “We are pleased to demonstrate our continuing commitment to LSEP by approving this funding for 2008/09. Our sub-regional partners play a vital role in achieving our vision to becoming a flourishing region by 2020, since they are in a strong position to take practical steps to ensure we create vibrant economies at the very heart of our communities.”
