Rural Regeneration Zone resources will be used over the next two years to improve the quality of life for those that live and work in the rural west of our region.
A Strong Economy
In general, the Zone has a low-skill, low-wage economy that still relies on traditional industries where under-employment is common. That is why we are funding and delivering activity that helps the economy diversify, so that there are more better-paid and knowledge-based jobs.
Achievements to date:
- Acquiring an important site in Rotherwas, Herefordshire which will facilitate the construction of a new access road to an expanding industrial estate.
- Investing in the redevelopment of Stourport's Sandy Lane Industrial Estate
- Developing plans for a derelict site at the former Dairy Crest creamery in Ellesmere.
- Providing a grant to the Ludlow Food Centre to support locally produced food and job creation.
- Helping implement Enterprise Local, the UK’s first programme to support home-based entrepreneurs, initially operating in Shropshire.
Our plans for 2008-09 include:
- Continued implementation of the enterprise centre network, in partnership with Evans Easyspace Ltd. to deliver 'hub' developments at Rotherwas and Shrewsbury and spokes at Ross, Leominster, Ludlow, Bridgnorth, Oswestry and Market Drayton.
- Developing and implementing project activity arising from the Economic Inclusion Strategic Investment Framework
- Continuing to work with local authorities, private developers and land owners to increase the supply and development of land for employment and grow on space to address sub-regional demand
- Examining the feasibility of rolling out the regions first support network specifically targeted at businesses operating from home
- Promoting the development of Live - Work Units as part of a sustainable rural community
Skills
To help diversify the Zone’s economy we are working to improve the knowledge and skills of people looking for work and those already in jobs. We are doing this in a way that meets the needs of local employers.
Achievements to date:
- Investment in the redevelopment of Hereford’s Folly Lane Campus creating a state of the art learning centre
Our plans for 2008-2009 include:
- Supporting the Royal National College for the Blind in developing a new campus at Hereford and specifically investing in a sports and complementary therapy centre to provide blind and partially sighted students with practical and academic skills to enter employment.
- Working with the Central Technology Belt High Technology Corridor to address the barriers that exist to the employment of graduates by Zone and Corridor businesses.
Environmental Excellence
We are seeking to develop a thriving environmental economy in the Zone. To achieve this we are supporting a number of activities, including those that protect or improve the economy, generate income through environmental good practice or are dependent on a high-quality environment.
Achievements to date:
- Supporting a low carbon programme focusing on carbon reduction measures at businesses in four Shropshire locations in the Zone
- Investment in an environmental technology centre in Shrewsbury which provides a showcase for renewable technologies and a platform from where environmental start up businesses can grow.
- Development of ReThink, a Renewable Energy Capital Grant Scheme to encourage businesses to invest in renewable energy, such as combined heat and power, wind, ground source heat pumps, and solar energy.
- Support for Cooperative Fire, a community renewables programme that supports the development and implementation of renewable sources of energy for the benefit of the community through social enterprise models
Our plans for 2008-09 include:
- A green energy project at Tenbury Business Park.
- Investigating existing and new initiatives that can be promoted in the context of the Environmental Economy SIF including waste reduction and the emerging transition town movement.
Thriving Communities
For rural communities to thrive there needs to be full access to services and opportunities. As part of ensuring that jobs, education and other opportunities are truly accessible there also needs to be action on reducing poverty and social exclusion and on strengthening community cohesion.
Achievements to date:
- Funding 2 multi-use facilities so far at Dorrington and Craven Arms.
- Establishing the Nexus programme in partnership with Community First, the Rural Community Council for Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Grants help communities gain access to services such as health, training and employment.
Our plans for 2008-09 include:
- Continuing to develop and implement a network of multi-use facilities across the Zone, including facilities at Cleobury Mortimer, Wem and Peterchurch.
- Investing to support the delivery capacity of the new LEADER programme which will operate in 4 areas across the Zone.
- Continuing to deliver the Nexus Program, evaluating the programme to date and, if appropriate, rolling out the programme