Shropshire Council champions investment and economic growth with £20m funding bid
Shropshire Council is taking a leading role in shaping Local Innovation Partnerships (LIPs) by preparing to submit an expression of interest in bidding for a £20m grant to strengthen the county’s position in attracting inward investment and sustainable economic growth.
The Local Innovation Partnership Fund (LIPF) is a new £500million UKRI led programme which is seen as integral to the UK government’s mission to unlock regional innovation-led economic growth.
Shropshire Council has won Cabinet approval to create partnerships that would allow a bid for a £20m share of the fund for a Marches to the Midlands project.
The Marches to the Midlands bid sees nearby councils, businesses, and academic institutions, uniting to create two specialist clusters: one focused on green energy and another on advanced manufacturing, including agri-tech.
The cluster organisations form what is described as a “triple helix” which will open up access to the funding bid, and are designed to attract new investors, unlock funding opportunities, and showcase Shropshire as a hub for innovation and enterprise.
Rob Wilson, Shropshire Council Cabinet member for economic growth, said:-
“This strategic approach will not only boost local jobs and skills but also ensure Shropshire remains competitive in the transition to a low-carbon economy. By pooling expertise and resources, the partnerships will accelerate progress on renewable energy projects and advanced manufacturing capabilities, helping the county secure long-term prosperity.”
He added:-
“The Marches Forward Partnership is already driving proposals for developing green growth and optimising our rural status and natural assets to create high-quality jobs close to home with its green growth strategies, including the flagship Severn Valley Water Management Scheme.
“A successful bid could expand on the success of the DSIT-funded Advanced Wireless Innovation Region work which has already deployed digital technology to help increase productivity and resilience in water management and rural industries, aligned to our national award-winning River Severn Partnership.
“We fully support this bid to UKRI and working with our university, business and local authority partners to unlock opportunities.”
