£6.5M cash boost for Dorset LEP

Robert Walter MP (North Dorset) has welcomed the announcement of £6.5million of government funding to support Dorset’s new Local Enterprise Partnership.

The Dorset Local Economic Partnership - know as the LEP – due for its official launch in April, is a private sector-led initiative aiming to boost economic prosperity across the Poole, Bournemouth and Dorset area.

In partnership with local authorities, businesses and higher education providers in the county, the Dorset LEP team will work to increase local jobs, provide skills training and improve trade and export opportunities, whilst investing in concrete infrastructure improvements like new roads and high speed broadband to connect urban and rural areas.
 
Bob was, therefore, delighted by the announcement today of significant funding from the government’s Growing Places Fund, which will enable Dorset LEP to improve areas of the county in need of investment, generating jobs and creating more affordable housing.

Bob said, “This is fantastic news for Dorset and great news for Dorset’s new LEP, which will really be able to hit the ground running with this £6.5million Government investment.

“I’ve always said that Dorset businesses and business leaders should have more input in driving our local economy forward and I believe that the Dorset LEP, in partnership with our local authorities, will do just that.”

The money forms part of a wider package of measures announced by Housing Minister, Grant Shapps, in order to help the UK economy get back on its feet by investing in new and stalled development.

Dorset LEP has a working group with a short-list of projects and is already considering potential development schemes located across Dorset.  With funding now in place, the LEP board – headed by Chairman Gordon Page - will examine each project in detail before announcing a final decision on where investment will be placed in March.