The Sussex Newspaper hears that Mid Sussex is set to benefit from a share of £202 million worth of Government funding following the signing of a growth deal for the wider Sussex and Surrey region.
The Coast to Capital Growth Deal has secured £38 million of Government funding for 2015/16, a figure that will rise to £202 million over the next six years. The money will be invested in Mid Sussex, Brighton and Hove, Lewes, and across West Sussex and the Gatwick diamond region to create jobs, new homes, provide better infrastructure and improve transport.
The overall investment is expected to unlock an additional £83 million from public bodies and £158 million from the private sector – bringing the combined total to £443 million.
Mid Sussex District Council is part of the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) that submitted a strategic economic plan for the region to Government and secured the investment from Whitehall.The LEP is a voluntary body bringing together public and private investment in the region to boost economic growth, create jobs and homes, improve infrastructure and support business.
The Mid Sussex part of the Coast to Capital Strategic Economic Plan targets the delivery of 5,000 jobs and 200,000 square metres of employment floor space through the Growth Deal funding. A key priority will be to support business investment and create the right conditions for enterprise to flourish.
The Digital sector in particular will benefit from £3.4 million worth of investment in e-commerce training, superfast broadband and pioneering mobile 5G technology research.
Transport links are set to improve with £31.7 million available to support a range of projects that tackle congestion and improve sustainable transport, such as improved walking and cycling links, improvements to the A2300 and better traffic management and public transport. This could include schemes to improve traffic flows around Burgess Hill in anticipation of the major growth expected around that town.
“This Government funding is a huge boost for Mid Sussex and will support the further development of what is already a strong local economy,” said Councillor Gary Marsh, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Property. “I’m delighted that we have been part of this successful bid and I’m looking forward to seeing this money used to fund many exciting business development and infrastructure improvement projects in Mid Sussex over the next six years.”