NORWICH PROJECTS GET TOWN DEAL BOOST

Norwich has been offered a Town Deal worth up to £25m through the Government’s Towns Fund to boost the local economy, get more homes built and support local businesses, the Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick has announced.

Norwich is one of the first seven towns across the country to have a funding offer made as part of a landmark £3.6 billion Government scheme aimed at levelling up local economies and creating jobs by investing in transport, infrastructure and skills.  In Norwich the funding will support the area to build on their 2040 Vision for the city, creating a place which is ‘liveable, fair, connected and dynamic’.

The landmark deal will see millions invested to help create a Digital Hub and Digi-Tech Factory, both of which will give local people and businesses the chance to access state-of-the-art technology to boost skills and improve their services.  The Digi-Tech Factory is also being supported by funding from New Anglia LEP’s Growth Deal with Government and City College Norwich.

Work is now under way to confirm the final funding amount and get deals in place so much needed regeneration projects can begin.

Chris Starkie, Chief Executive of New Anglia LEP and Norwich Town Deal Board Member, said: “This is fantastic news for Norwich. We are pleased to be working with Norwich City Council and local partners to help secure this funding for a range of exciting projects.

“The bid to Government underlined the ambition to build on Norwich’s reputation as a creative, liveable, fair, connected and dynamic city and we’re delighted to play a part in that. Projects like the digital hub and new digitech factory will help to boost Norwich’s appeal as an attractive place to work, study and start a business – all of which help to attract and retain the best talent to help our economy grow and prosper.

“The investment builds on the ambitions set out in our Local Industrial Strategy and Economic Recovery Restart Plan and build on projects already being supported by the LEP.”

Alan Waters, leader of Norwich City Council, said: “This is a significant investment in Norwich at a time when we need to plan for the future of the city and its recovery.

“This gives us the opportunity to rethink our approach to achieving our ambitions as part of Norwich 2040 City Vision and allows us to look at our long term future regionally, nationally and internationally.

“The £25m will help to fund clean growth and ensure our residents are equipped with the skills of the future, have access to good jobs with fair pay and progression, and are better connected to our growth sectors.

“The success of this deal is testament to how well the city works in partnership.”