Stoke Staffs LEP
Millions of pounds for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire projects
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Millions of pounds for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire projects

More than £23.7 million will be invested in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire projects to boost the economy in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The money, from the Government’s Getting Building Fund, is also expected to create approximately 2,900 jobs across 11 strategic projects.

Successful applications from the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SSLEP) include the next phase of Keele University’s Innovation Centre Seven, the i54 South Staffordshire Western extension on the South Staffordshire Wolverhampton border, and a digital and constructions skills project at Stoke-on-Trent College.

Alun Rogers, SSLEP chair, said: “These bids by the Enterprise Partnership were all for ‘shovel ready’ projects to be delivered by March 2022, which will support our economy and create jobs as we bounce back from the pandemic.

“We are delighted to be able to partner these projects the length and breadth of the region and by supporting the Government to build back better, build back greener and build back faster.  Our Getting Building Fund projects are part of the implementation of the Local Industrial Strategy, encouraging our local economy’s recovery and ultimate growth.”

Projects will deliver support for businesses through new innovation and enterprise space, investment in digital skills for young people, and improvements to transport infrastructure which will unlock new housing sites and enable more travelling and commuting without relying on the car.

It is expected the SSLEP Getting Building projects will support the creation of 2,440 jobs and safeguard another 110, while also creating 440 construction jobs.

Projects will unlock 115,000 square metres of commercial floorspace, 2,000 square metres of learning space and support 1,150 learners.

Alun Rogers added: “Not only do we pave the way for new projects and future innovation, these schemes will improve infrastructure and support existing jobs.”

The projects allocated, are:

  1. Drakelow Park, Burton-upon-Trent (£5.05 million)
  2. Enterprise Centre, Corporation Street, Tamworth (£190,000)
  3. Innovation Centre Seven, Keele University (£6.1m)
  4. New Enterprise Collaboratory, Stoke-on-Trent (£500,000)
  5. ‘Powering Up’ – Enterprise, Stoke-on-Trent (£2.8 million)
  6. I54 Western Extension, South Staffordshire (£3 million)
  7. Health Innovation Centre, Staffordshire University (£2.89 million)
  8. Skills Equipment Fund – Digital Skills Academy, South Staffordshire College (£550,375)
  9. Skills Equipment Fund – Creative Industries Project (£250,000) and Digital and Construction Skills Project (£120,000), Stoke-on-Trent College
  10. Shire Hall Regeneration Project, Stafford (£1.6 million)
  11. Staffordshire Local Sustainable Transport Package (£651,000)
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