Northern Powerhouse Minister Andrew Percy has visited Hull as it is announced that the Humber region has received £27.9m of Local Growth Funding as the Growth Deals 3 are announced by government.
Humber Growth Deal 3, follows on from two previous Growth Deals, to help create jobs, support businesses and encourage growth.
Andrew Percy took a tour of the city, along with LEP Chair Lord Haskins, Council Leader, Councillor Brady, and officers including City Manager for Major Projects Garry Taylor and Assistant City Manager for Planning Alex Codd.
The tour will contain a briefing on the city centre and River Hull development plans, including existing Growth Deal and ERDF projects and Enterprise Zone sites.
Lord Haskins, Chair of the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership, said:
“I am pleased that the Humber LEP and our partners have been able to secure this additional Growth Deal funding for the benefit of our region. This third Growth Deal will support the development of our Enterprise Zone sites, which will in turn unlock private sector investment and create new jobs. The city and town centre investments will help to bring forward development and attract new business. The Growth Deal will also enable us to continue to invest in small businesses and in improving training facilities in the area.
“All of the projects we will now be able to support were chosen locally because of the contribution they will make to the Humber’s growth. The impact of our first Growth Deals is already being felt, so these new projects will add to the momentum.”
In Hull, two projects will benefit from the third Growth Deal; unlocking Hull City Centre Development and River Hull defences.
Unlocking Hull City Centre development supports Hull City Centre’s transition to new leisure and residential uses through delivering key development sites and supporting the conversion of empty properties. The project addresses viability issues caused by land conditions, archaeology, contamination, access infrastructure and flood risk.
Funding will also enable River Hull flood defence improvements to protect existing homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure, and to enable future growth both on the 11 Enterprise Zone sites along the River Hull corridor and in housing.
Leader of Hull City Council, Councillor Stephen Brady, said:
“This growth deal announcement for the Humber is excellent news, and shows that the area is recognised as an important part of the Northern Powerhouse. Hull continues to thrive and the latest good news announcement follows the city placing itself as a leading UK Energy City and as the UK City of Culture 2017.”