A £4.2m project, including a £750,000 loan from the Marches Investment Fund (Growing Places Fund).
The centre which opened in September 2013, is a catalyst for research and education, innovation, knowledge transfer and skills development within the agri-tech sector. The centre is playing a critical role in developing new technologies for farming practice, and in bringing together expertise from the agricultural engineering industry, the farming sector and the wider academic community. So far, it has created 21 of the 22 new, direct full time equivalent jobs that were forecast to be created by this scheme. The facility’s indirect job target of 200 new jobs has been exceeded through the support provided to businesses using the facility.
A virtual tour of the facility can be accessed on the Harper Adam’s University website.
£750k loan from the Marches Investment Fund
200 indirect job target exceeded
22 direct full time equivalent jobs to be created
The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership has now ceased trading and transferred all its functions to Shropshire Council working with Telford & Wrekin Council and Herefordshire Council, in line with the UK Government's plans for devolution.
The Marches LEP was established in 2011 and hands over an impressive legacy from its 13-year life. In that time the LEP invested over £196m in projects across the Marches, securing in excess of £100m of match funding and supported more than 66,000 business interactions.
The schemes supported have made tangible differences to local communities, increasing skills, creating jobs and improving the physical appearance of many towns.
We would like to thank all the LEP Board Members who have given their time freely over the life of the LEP, as well as all the staff who worked for the LEP over the years. We also want to thank our delivery partners, local education providers and local, regional and national stakeholders who helped us achieve so much.
The Marches Growth Hub will continue to support businesses and will be managed by Shropshire Council, supported by Telford and Wrekin and Herefordshire Councils. Each of the three Local Authorities will also continue to provide direct business support locally. Details of this support will be available through the Marches Growth Hub website and from the Local Authorities directly. Website: www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk | email: enquiries@marchesgrowthhub.co.uk.
The Marches Careers Hub will continue to be delivered and will be managed by Shropshire Council, supported by Telford & Wrekin and Herefordshire Councils. Website: www.marchescareershub.co.uk | email: info@marchescareershub.co.uk
For any queries about Getting Building Fund (GBF), Local Growth Fund (LGF) and Marches Investment Fund (MIF) projects supported by the Marches LEP please contact: gary.spence@shropshire.gov.uk
For any finance queries please contact: michelle.hodgkiss@shropshire.gov.uk
The solvent liquidation of the Marches LEP is being managed by the Evelyn Partners Limited. For any matter related to this please contact: Camilla.Mulholland@evelyn.com