Four projects, involved in the space industry, food sector, and the development of HS2, will form the new and innovative East Midlands Manufacturing Zones, Communities Secretary Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP announced today (3 January 2019).
Melton Mowbray, Space Park Leicester, and areas across North Derbyshire and Greater Lincolnshire will together benefit from a total of £500,000 funding to develop their plans.
The investment builds on existing strengths in space, food and advanced manufacturing across the region, helping these important sectors to flourish and boost economic growth and jobs in the Midlands Engine.
The East Midlands Manufacturing Zones aim to reduce planning restrictions to allow land to be used more productively and provide certainty for business investment.
The announcement comes as the Secretary of State, who is also the government’s Midlands Engine Champion, visits organisations across the East Midlands today to hear how they are contributing to a thriving region at the heart of the UK’s economic success.
Scott Knowles, Chief Executive at East Midlands Chamber, said: “For quite some time now we have been calling on Government to do more to celebrate the contribution this region makes to the national economy.
“The East Midlands is the spine of manufacturing in the UK. We make more here than anywhere else in the country does and we are very good at shipping what we make around the world.
“For too long we have achieved success despite an apparent lack of recognition from Government – for example, the region receives only 60% per capita investment in infrastructure compared with the rest of the country – so we’re delighted to acknowledge this £500,000 investment in economic growth and new jobs.”
