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The Cumbrian business community has welcomed the success of local bids in the second round of the Government's Regional Growth Fund (RGF).
George Beveridge, Interim Chair of Cumbria LEP said:: “Its great news that Cumbria has secured a major programme bid as well as two project specific bids from this very competitive round of the Regional Growth fund. This will help a significant number of businesses in Cumbria to develop and grow their activities in what are undoubtedly challenging economic times. The LEP supported all the successful bids and will continue to support the businesses involved as they implement their plans. Due to the highly competitive nature of the fund, some bids were not successful, but we will continue to look for ways to support these businesses as well.”
Rob Johnston, Chief Executive of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce pictured said:, “Manufacturing is fundamental to the Cumbrian economy and this announcement is tremendous news for Cumbrian manufacturing with support for Pirelli in Carlisle, Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon Ltd in Kendal and in West Cumbria a number of manufacturers already part of the Britains Energy Coast bid – with more able to benefit through this programme bid. As a Chamber we’ve been lobbying hard, with other partners, to help bring these successful bids about.”
Successful bids include the Energy Coast West Cumbria Ltd, Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon Ltd (Kendal) and Pirelli Tyres Ltd.
The Government claim the £1.4 billion RGF will help create and safeguard more than 200,000 jobs across England – and in the North West 7,800 direct jobs and 39,500 indirect jobs.
This second round will support 119 bids from businesses and local partnerships with projects to expand their operations, create new jobs and attract private investment. Discussions are ongoing with a further 10 bidders about their projects.
Of the 201,000 jobs created or protected, around 37,000 will be directly created jobs, and more than 164,000 will be in the supply chain. The Government investment will support nearly £6 billion of private investment secured by the successful projects.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: "I am delighted to be able to announce this boost to business, which will jump start growth and create jobs that last in the places that really need it.
"This targeted support for businesses across the country allows them to expand and create jobs. It unlocks private sector investment – with at least £5 put in for every £1 of public money. People in the rest of Britain have been let down for far too long by governments in thrall to one Square Mile of it.
"The first pot of Regional Growth Fund money is already making a difference across the country - helping to rebalance our economy so that every region and sector benefits."
The successful bids are subject to legal checks before they can be awarded their final allocation of funding. This will establish whether the Government is confident that the organisations can deliver on the proposals in the bid and be agreed through contract. The Government expects the money to start being passed on to the bidders in the spring.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “We need to be doing all we can to enable businesses and organisations to create much needed jobs and inject private investment into the economy.
“We have announced today that a further 119 projects will benefit from the fund, and expect to deliver a huge number of jobs across their businesses and in the supply chain.
“This is a very significant boost to local communities, and the Regional Growth Fund will help businesses to drive local growth.”
Cumbria County Council's Leader Eddie Martin, who is a board member of the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership which endorsed the three successful bids, said:
"I am delighted that Cumbria has had a 'hit rate' which appears to be higher than the national average in terms of successes versus applications. It will now be down to the individual teams behind those bids to prove that they are sustainable and viable to ensure that their plans come to fruition, but we all hope they are successful.
"The Regional Growth Fund replaced the former regional development agencies and we all await with interest how the Government plans to move forward with plans to stimulate the economy now that the second and final round of the Regional Growth Fund has closed. Public sector funding can go a long way in kickstarting sustainable growth in the private sector and we all recognise the need for ongoing investment."
Full list of successful bids from the North West:
• University of Liverpool
• Harpscreen(GB) Ltd
• Pirelli Tyres Ltd
• Phoenix Court Blackburn Limited
• Gilbert Gilkes and Gordon Limited ('Gilkes')
• Crown Speciality Packaging UK Ltd
• Redx Pharma Ltd
• Double R Controls Limited
• C&C Baseline Ltd
• Standish Engineering Ltd
• Ronfell
• Double R Controls Ltd
• North West Aerospace Alliance
• Sefton Council
• Eldonians Group Limited,
• Energy Coast West Cumbria Ltd
• The Listen Media Company LTD
• The Greater Manchester LEP
• Siemens plc
• Diodes Zetex Semiconductors Ltd
• Ferguson Polycom Limited
• Salford City Council
• Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council ('TMBC')
• Economic Solutions Ltd
• Pochin Developments Limited.
• Keepmoat Homes Ltd
• Regenerate Pennine Lancashire Limited
• Lucite International UK Ltd
• Bentley Motors
• DI UK
• HMG Paints Ltd
• Burnley BC
• Pilkington United Kingdom Limited
• Getrag Ford Transmissions