Regeneration and renewal in Cornwall
HOW THE UK GOVERNMENT’S MULTIMILLION-POUND INVESTMENT WILL IMPROVE HEALTHCARE, TRANSPORT, HIGH STREETS AND CULTURE FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS
Penzance and Newlyn have benefited from almost £32m from Levelling Up, intended to breathe new life into the towns and create better-paid, less seasonally dependent jobs. The modernised harbour will revitalise the marine industry, while other projects will boost tourism and improve congestion. Three further Town Deals covering St Ives, Camborne and Truro have provided £67.9m of additional funding.
FUTURE-PROOFING
Reliable transport is another priority, so there’s a £48m grant to renew and futureproof the ferry service to the Isles of Scilly. SpacePort Cornwall will also get an investment boost – which is welcomed by Linda Taylor, Conservative group leader of Cornwall Council:
“The Centre for Space Technologies is a hugely important asset for Cornwall, a representation of our leading position in the UK’s Space Industry,” she says. “We are looking forward to welcoming innovative businesses to the region and building collaborative, long-term activity around Spaceport Cornwall that will contribute to the growth of Cornwall’s economy.”
Other industry leaders share her excitement. Ian Annett, deputy CEO of the UK Space Agency, says:
“It’s fantastic to see how our investments are leading to the development of facilities that will support spaceflight operations, research and collaboration, and create high-skilled jobs. As we count down to the first launch this summer, we are working closely with Spaceport Cornwall, Virgin Orbit and partners across the country to grow a sustainable new spaceflight industry in the UK.”
Melissa Thorpe, head of Spaceport Cornwall agrees: “Spaceport Cornwall is more than just a launch facility,” she says. “The Centre for Space Technologies is proof of our ambitions to lead the way in a global industry shift.
We want to show the key role environmental intelligence can play in solving global climate challenges and the centre will be home to vital R&D in this area, fostering collaboration across industry and academia to pioneer the use of space for good.”
A further £3.78m investment from the UK Government’s Getting Building Fund will go towards a new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) centre in Bodmin by Truro and Penwith College. The 1,918 sq m centre will train at least 300 people a year – more than 120 of them on apprenticeships and T-Level qualifications – and support 150 businesses over the next five years.
The investment from the Government’s Getting Building fund will create new opportunities for hundreds of local people and businesses, and boost the local economy by producing the future workforce Cornwall needs Martin Tucker, Principal
Truro and Penwith College
TRANSFORMING
Truro and Penwith College is working closely with local employers and business groups to make sure the courses on offer match what industry needs. “Our new STEM and Health Skills Centre will help transform the teaching of industryrelevant skills in Cornwall,” says Principal Martin Tucker. “Courses range from network engineer apprentice to degree-level apprenticeships in nursing and higher national diplomas in mechanical engineering.
“The investment from the Government’s Getting Building fund will create new opportunities for hundreds of local people and businesses, and boost the local economy by producing the future workforce Cornwall needs.”