Investment News | 19 August 2020
Chesterfield investments highlight confidence
A Derbyshire-based centre of excellence for modern construction techniques and digital technology has received a £500k cash injection.
The new Chesterfield-based centre will provide learners with a range of skills and knowledge including augmented and virtual reality, building modelling for efficient costing and estimating, 3D rapid prototyping, and technology to enable modular construction techniques.
The move is part of the Government’s comprehensive plan to deliver upgrades to local infrastructure and boost skills to help fuel a green economic recovery. The new centre of excellence in Chesterfield is one of the vital infrastructure projects recently given the green light with ca.£900 million of UK investment confirmed recently by Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick MP.
Derbyshire projects across the city and county received £22million from the 'Getting Building Fund' to deliver wide-ranging support and diversification of the local economy, assisting nationally important industries including manufacturing and aerospace.
Sustainability runs through the programme along with encouraging diversification of the town and city offer; unlocking housing and associated infrastructure to support places as thriving centres. There is also a strong focus on research and development in modern construction techniques, food manufacturing, electrification of flight and low-carbon technologies.
David Williams, interim chair of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership said: “We very much welcome the announcement by the government. This will provide a major stimulus for our communities across the region.
“As we reshape our Local Industrial Strategy to reflect the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic it’s essential we remain flexible to support our communities, that we adapt to new opportunities, and build an economy that is more resilient in the long term.”
The construction of a new enterprise centre at Chesterfield's Northern Gateway scheme is also underway as part of its development plans, and is expected to create 500 jobs in the town. Designed for small- and medium-sized businesses, the steel framework is in place with the project on schedule to be completed in spring 2021.
Once works are complete, the new Enterprise Centre will include 32 high quality office suites in a range of sizes (26 to 120 square metres) and will offer a multitude of features for businesses looking to become established in Chesterfield.
Following a recent site visit to witness work to erect the building's steel frame, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, Cllr Tricia Gilby, said: “This is both an exciting and an important development for Chesterfield, and I’m pleased that work is continuing to progress despite the current challenges.
“This Enterprise Centre is key to ensuring that Chesterfield remains a thriving borough and will create lots of new opportunities for local businesses and people, supporting the sustainability of the town centre.”
