Last week the Government announced its Midlands Engine strategy and another £22 million of funding to boost skills, connectivity and growth within our Local Enterprise area. This brings the total Government Growth Funding for our Enterprise area to £105 million since July 2014.
Telford’s share of this money is creating transformative change in our town, enabling our local economy to thrive, boosting incomes and jobs - building a brighter future.
Just take a look at the current Government funded projects under way in Telford right now; in March 2016 we saw the Telford Land Deal get started, releasing land for new industrial areas and housing, with £44m from the proceeds to be invested in Telford.
The Telford Growth Package brought £14m of funding for a whole series of road improvements across the borough.
Telford Eastern Gateway Project added £3.6m of funding targeted at the T54 employment site delivering serviced employment land.
The brand new Telford Bus Station project brings another £1.3 million of Government funding.
With Government money for better broadband, (£2m) and our new bridge getting started at Telford Train Station, (£7m) makes it feel like we are getting a complete make over.
Whilst major works cause some frustration when getting about town, this is radical investment in our town’s future. By getting Telford better connected and improving our infrastructure we attract new business and boost jobs and incomes. New towns like ours power the UK economy and drive growth.
There are those who keep saying Telford is short-changed and doesn’t get its fair share of Government money. All Councils have to do more with less and our Local Council faces the same challenges as any other. But a quick look round Telford tells us the pessimists are simply wrong. In Telford we see the evidence of phenomenal Government funding in infrastructure. I am proud that Government is recognising our potential - this funding is a vote of confidence in our future.
Telford is a key player in the Government Midlands Engine Strategy where innovation, skills and enterprise will continue to be boosted. It is vital to the success of the UK, post Brexit, that we continue to unlock Telford's potential. Let's recognise the investment in our town and be optimistic about the future. Telford is a fantastic place to do business; Government funding is making it even better; Telford's future is looking bright.