An eight-year plan to create 25,000 jobs and attract £2 billion of private investment to Leicestershire has been launched.
The news comes as the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) celebrates a successful first year. More than 80 people from the business, public and voluntary sectors are attending an event on Wednesday, August 1st, to hear about the LLEP’s successes and future plans.
The LLEP is a business-led partnership, which aims to boost the local economy by 2020.
Since it was launched, a year ago, the LLEP has scored a series of achievements, such as:
- Winning a bid to create an enterprise zone at MIRA in Hinckley, which will create 2,000 jobs
- Supporting Regional Growth Fund bids and securing over £25m for projects in the city and county
- Securing £13.5 million of Government investment to deliver infrastructure projects, of which £4.5m has been allocated to five schemes that will deliver more than 1,000 new homes and 2,800 jobs
- Delivering a national pathfinder to reduce red tape for local businesses
LLEP chairman Andrew Bacon said: “We have a bold vision of how we can improve economic performance and create jobs. We have engaged with businesses across the city and each of the districts in the county to understand local challenges and, more importantly identify opportunities. I would urge all businesses and agencies to work with us to deliver our Economic Growth Plan and achieve our ambition.”
Blake Pain, the county council cabinet member on the LLEP board, said: “The LLEP has had an excellent first year and I’m sure that, with continued county council support, it will generate thousands of jobs and support enterprise growth over the next few years.”
City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “The LLEP has worked hard in its first year to boost the local economy during difficult economic times. I look forward to continued success, working with our partners on the board and to making a major contribution from the city council to unlock new opportunities for jobs and business.”
The LLEP has now launched an eight year economic plan. Key targets include:
- Creating 25,000 private sector jobs
- Attracting £2b private sector investment
- Increasing GVA (gross value added) by £4 billion, to £23 billion
The plan aims to boost growth in priority sectors, where Leicestershire already has strengths, including food and drink, high-tech manufacturing and distribution and logistics.
