NMITE is a new independent, not for profit, world class higher education institution which will address the shortage of skilled graduate engineers, in the Marches and British businesses, in advanced manufacturing, agri-engineering, data, defence, resources security, and sustainable/smart living technology sectors.
Phase 1 (£2.7m) – Following NMITE securing a 50-year lease from the Department for Education on the former Robert Owen School building on Blackfriars Street in Hereford the LEP have now awarded £2.7m to the project.
The funding will allow the buildings to be improved, adapted and equipped to provide 3205m2 of teaching and learning space at the Blackfriars site, will allow 270 learners to be taught there, 37 jobs to be created and 75 companies to be supported by March 2022. The LEP grant is due to lever £3,133,750 of private sector match and generate £6,480,000 of GVA into the local economy.
£8.4 million Growth Deal 3 investment in Phase 1 and Phase 2
Facilities for 270 new learners at the refurbished Blackfriars site, 810 new learners and 750 undergraduates at the new facilities on the Skylon Park campus
Over £10million private sector investment levered by the grant
Phase 2 (£5.7m) – NMITE Phase 2 focuses on the North Magazine Development at Skylon Park comprising the Centre for Advanced Timber Technology (CATT), the Centre for Automated Manufacture (CAM) and the Centre for Future Skills (CFS).
These three buildings are core teaching and learning facilities to support the delivery of NMITE’s business plan and the original Marches LEP Growth Deal objectives. The project will lever £7.7m of private sector match, deliver 195 jobs, 810 new learners and 750 undergraduates for the investment and will generate £27,520,000 GVA.
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