Making improvements to help county businesses flourish has never been more vital
Across Greater Lincolnshire, work to help the local economy grow and attract more businesses to locate here, is making great progress.
Cllr Colin Davie, executive councillor for economy, place and strategic planning, (inset picture) said: “At the county council, we take a really forward-thinking and pro-active approach looking at what businesses need to thrive. By doing a lot of early work, often with partner organisations, we are always ready to take advantage of government funding and private sector investment.
“Long-term projects improving infrastructure and connectivity mean that businesses can grow and develop for a more prosperous future. And a vast amount of work also goes on behind the scenes to ‘sell’ all our county has to offer to investors around the world.”
South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone (FEZ)
The South Lincolnshire FEZ near Holbeach is a nationally significant development for businesses in the agri-tech industries. Following completion of the works on-site, eight out of ten plots have received offers. One completed sale is to local business AJS Control & Automation who will build an office, research and development facility and workshop premises.
This is one of many businesses to benefit from this amazing, collaborative site. The University of Lincoln’s research buildings opened last year and the council’s Hub building provides high-quality space for smaller and start-up agri-tech businesses.
Working with the Department for International Trade, an investment proposition has been presented to investors around the world, attracting an unprecedented number of enquiries from food-related companies.
Thriving coast
The council has expanded Skegness Business Park to provide coastal employers with the opportunity to expand and diversify. The £2.4 million revamp and expansion work has seen a link road completed and new infrastructure put in place.
The first plot has now been sold to local company Manorcrest Construction, who are developing industrial units on-site that will subsequently be available to rent.
Leigh Hall and Dean Wann, Directors at Manorcrest, said: “We pride ourselves on developments that really make life better for residents and businesses. The units on this site will help existing businesses, attract new businesses to re-locate here and provide local jobs for local people.”
Funded by the county council and the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), the expansion helps secure year-round jobs for the area.
And to help both locals and the millions of tourists that travel to Lincolnshire’s coast every year, work is now underway to look at more ways of reducing congestion on some of the main coastal routes for future improvements.