Philip Atkins
UNDERPINNING everything we all desire is the creation of more better quality jobs for people in Staffordshire.
Not only does this usually mean higher wages, allowing families to afford and enjoy a better quality of life but it also has a knock-on effect on our overall economy, as people spend their money with local businesses.
More evidence of this is the continuing trend of almost full employment we’ve seen throughout 2018, with the latest figures showing that just 1.3 per cent of the local population claiming out of work benefits.
Once again, this is lower than both regional and national averages and means we’ve been outperforming our neighbors throughout most of the year which is good news.
The work the county council does to create the right conditions to attract new business and help existing ones thrive remains vital.
This involves continuous investment in infrastructure, like major road improvements such as the A50 at Uttoxeter. Investment in key foundations like superfast broadband, housing, schools and more business parks are all key parts of our plans in building a more prosperous Staffordshire.
2018 has been a pretty good year for development, and there’s lots more to be excited about in 2019 with even more major projects scheduled.
We have the exciting expansion of i54 South Staffordshire which will create an additional 1,700 jobs while the Four Ashes business park is at full occupancy.
In Stafford, Redhill Business Park, also at full occupancy with expanding companies such as Alstom, is helping to safeguard and create thousands of more jobs over the next decade.
2019 will also see the start of construction of the Stafford Western Access Route and Lichfield Southern Bypass.
Work on a major £15m highways improvement project in Cannock for a new £160m Mcarthurglen Designer Outlet is already under way. Due to open in 2020, the outlet is expected to create around 1,000 jobs.
As a county council we have a good story to tell.
We’re opening doors for business to thrive and grow.
We’re attracting new investment to the county and we are making Staffordshire right for business to improve the lives of everyone living here.