Work starts to build new factories at business park
NEW tenants could start arriving at a major West Midlands business park from 2022 as construction work to install new factories begins.
Developers are ploughing on with the next phase of the i54 project in south Staffordshire and have just finished site clearance, land investigation and testing across a 60-acre site. A new access road was completed two months ago.
The park already counts major names such as Jaguar Land Rover and aerospace firm Moog among its tenants and developers are now progressing with the western extension which is expected to create up to 1,700 new jobs when it completes.
This section of the park will comprise more than one million sq ft of ready-made factory space aimed at attracting advanced manufacturing companies.
The main works are expected to be completed next year and it is anticipated new occupiers could start arriving from 2022.
The current i54 site has a workforce of over 2,500 people, with half of the jobs held by people living within a ten-mile radius. Wolverhampton, Staffordshire and South Staffordshire councils have agreed a funding and delivery strategy for the initial 60 acres of the extension.
In addition to their investment, there have been financial commitments from the Black Country and Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire local enterprise partnerships.
A contribution of £150,000 has already been made to fund a plan to boost employment skills, training and recruitment of local people and the partners have agreed a further £500,000 to support and promote sustainable travel activities.
More than £1 billion has so far been invested in the i54 site.
Staffordshire County Council’s economy chief Cllr Mark Winnington, said: “We’re pleased to have maintained construction work on our major projects site where possible so we can maintain long-term economic stability.
“The safety of the public and our teams remains the top priority.
“It’s great to visit the i54 site to see the progress made.
“This is vital work that will support our economy in getting back on its feet post-Covid-19.
“It is a critical project for our partnership and we know there is still high demand for businesses to locate here. That is why we made the decision to expand the site.
“We anticipate the western extension could generate hundreds more jobs and lever in millions of pounds’ worth of private investment.
“Successful business parks like i54 generate business rates which support the funding of public services.”