Dorset LEP announces three new projects

Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is providing funding to three new local projects.

The funds are being provided through the government’s Local Growth Fund which has aimed to bring together local, national and private sector funding to unlock key housing and employment sites, create more highly skilled jobs, and support economic growth.

Lorna Carver, Dorset LEP Director, says: “I am excited to announce these three new projects which will increase our productivity and create future opportunities for Dorset businesses.”

Up to £1 million will be allocated to BCP Council to fund the ‘5G Digital Testbed’ project. The venture aims to implement a world first in 5G mobile deployment in a ‘real world’ environment. The economic benefit of developing and actioning a 5G/Smart Place programme across Dorset is significant. Investors have forecast that between £50-100 million of technology investment could be deployed across Dorset in the next three years.

Stewarts Garden Centre, Wimborne, will be awarded £297,000 to start work on an agri-tech plant production and educational facility. The ‘Stewarts Agri-Tech Glasshouse’ project will provide the garden centre in Broomhill with a growing facility which has varied heating zones, low carbon technology and a base for horticultural education. It will enable the nursery to deliver growth, both in terms of productivity and employees, be competitive in the market and provide knowledge exchange with a variety of stakeholders such as Kingston Maurward College.

Finally, receiving £250,000, Weymouth College will build and launch ‘The Centre of Excellence for Motor Vehicle Technology’. This is a transformational project aimed at future-proofing Weymouth College’s advanced Motor Vehicle workshop space and develop hybrid and fully electric vehicle facilities.

Jim Stewart, Dorset LEP Chair, concludes “The launch of these new projects show that Dorset LEP is ambitious and forward thinking. 5G, agriculture and automotive technology are exciting sectors which have the potential to improve Dorset’s economy and skills.”

ENDS                                                                                                               Date 23/08/2019

Notes to Editors:

Established in 2011, Dorset LEP are a private sector-led organisation responsible for speaking on behalf of businesses, championing important issues with government and ultimately driving the economic growth of Dorset.  The LEP is responsible for setting the strategic direction for the Dorset economy and controlling an investment programme of around £250m.  Working in partnership with local government, businesses, educational institutions and other public, private and community sector organisations, we keep Dorset firmly on the map.

Led by an experienced and dedicated board of public and private sector members, we aim to make Dorset the best place to do business in the UK by putting in place the building blocks to drive productivity in Dorset.

Local Growth Fund

* £1.4 million has been allocated to fund Institute of Medical Imaging and Visualisation from the £98.5 million funding secured by Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership through the Government’s ‘Local Growth Fund’.  

Local Enterprise Partnerships are playing a vital role in driving forward economic growth across the country, helping to build a country that works for everyone.

That’s why by 2021 Government will have invested over £12bn through the Local Growth Fund, allowing LEPs to use their local knowledge to get all areas of the country firing on all cylinders.

Some additional key facts:

There are 38 LEPs covering the whole of England.

The government has awarded £9.1bn in three rounds of Growth Deals to local areas to drive economic growth.

LEPs are investing in a wide range of projects including transport, skills, business support, broadband, innovation and flood defences.