21/11/12

Communitites Secretary visits Black Country Enterprise Zone

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles toured the West Midlands today to see how local growth is flourishing thanks to Government funding and the work of local businesses and civic leaders.


Mr Pickles visited sites in the Black Country Enterprise Zone to see how high-tech manufacturing is benefiting from Government investment with a localist approach.


Mr Pickles travelled to and toured i54 South Staffordshire which forms part of the Black Country Enterprise Zone. He met senior officials from companies based there: Moog, a high-tech aerospace business and Eurofins, a food testing laboratory.


Businesses locating in the Enterprise Zone will benefit from discounted business rates and streamlined planning decisions as well as a £40m joint investment from Wolverhampton City Council and Staffordshire County Council in a new junction off the M54 that will service the site.  


Mr Pickles said:


“Local Enterprise Partnerships are unlocking much-needed local growth and providing strong incentives for companies looking to invest. Using enterprise zones, like the one in the Black Country civic leaders and businesses are helping to create jobs and boost the local economy.”


Tim Hair, of Chamberlin Plc and Black Country LEP Board member, said:


"I’m delighted that Mr Pickles decided to visit the Black Country Enterprise Zone. The enterprise zone has already secured a number of significant manufacturing firms and we want to ensure that all Black Country companies can benefit from the opportunities this will bring. The multi sited locations available will stimulate growth in our area, support and develop our supply chain and demonstrate that the Black Country is very much a desirable location to start and grow a business”.


Roger Lawrence, Leader of Wolverhampton City Council, said: 

“The i54 development has already achieved some great successes to help boost the local economy. The strong partnership working with Staffordshire and South Staffordshire will build on these successes to attract further inward investment, bringing more jobs and greater prosperity to the region. Work is currently on-going to improve the infrastructure around the site, including the creation of the new M54 motorway junction and significant improvements to Vine Island in Wolverhampton, and this will only enhance what is already an attractive site for major companies to do business.”


Philip Atkins, Leader of Staffordshire County Council, said:


“Economic growth and job creation is our number one priority and sites like i54 South Staffordshire are at the forefront of this effort. I hope the Secretary of State can see how we are working successfully with our local authority partners at Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire to roll out the red carpet to prospective businesses and attract major new employers like Jaguar Land Rover and Moog, to improve job prospects for our residents.” 


Councillor Brian Edwards, Leader of South Staffordshire Council added:


“Securing long term investment and delivering long term economic prosperity to the area is a must. We believe this flagship project will deliver new jobs - not just at the site, but for local businesses as part of the supply chain too. Plus, with big business already investing here, we’ve shown that i54 South Staffordshire is a great place to do business.”

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