£25m is released to aid recovery from Covid-19
NEARLY £25 million has been released to help Leicestershire recover from the lockdown and to boost the economy.
The projects include improvements to town centres, development of transport and highways work, including cycleways and footpaths and upgrades to public internet access.
There will also be targeted employment initiatives and development of cultural and leisure facilities.
Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership Limited (LLEP) released a total of £24.43 million to councils from a pool of business rates.
Leicester City Council will get £8.2 million.
That includes £4 million for the Transforming Cities Green Growth Corridors programme that will see investment in sustainable transport schemes to support economic growth.
There is also £2.5 million to expand and refurbish Jewry Wall Museum to create a national-quality Roman Leicester museum and two new galleries at New Walk Museum.
A further £400,000 for the Phoenix 2020 project will see the cinema and arts centre in the Cultural Quarter expanded.
Leicestershire County Council will get a total of £8.7 million in aid.
There will be £750,000 to provide grants of up to £10,000 to businesses and £100,000 to support the Superfast Leicestershire broadband project.
Leicester mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “Investment in infrastructure to support business in the city is greatly welcomed. The funding will support sustainable transport schemes for public transport, walking and cycling on key routes into the city and will contribute to our £80 million Transforming Cities programme.
“Support for the expansion of Phoenix Cinema and refurbishment and expansion of Jewry Wall Roman Museum will provide a boost for the city’s cultural facilities during the recovery from Covid 19.”
County council leader Nick Rushton said: “It’s been an extremely tough time for businesses and I’m delighted to have secured this funding.
“Boosting the economy is our priority and it will provide much-needed cash to help companies get back on their feet. Driving growth is also at the heart of plans to help Leicestershire recover from the pandemic.”
District councils will share £7.53 million. Charnwood Borough Council leader Jonathan Morgan said: “District and borough councils have a lead role in driving growth and now, more than ever, we need to support our communities and businesses.
“This funding will provide a very welcome injection towards our local recovery and builds upon the nearly £120 million Leicestershire’s district councils have paid in business grants over the past three months, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to our towns and villages.”