CLEP supports Westmorland & Furness Council to launch 'Invest in Furness Barrow & Beyond'
Business Leaders from Cumbria joined politicians and key partner organisations at the launch of a new project which will see Barrow-in-Furness receive significant new investment.
The event, entitled Invest in Furness Barrow and Beyond and hosted within Parliament by CLEP Chair Lord Richard Inglewood, was attended by 50 key representatives from business and agencies which will all have a role to play in ensuring this investment reaps the rewards for the local area and all its communities.
Lord Inglewood spoke passionately about the potential of the Furness area to drive forward the local economy on the back of the planned investments, while Barrow MP Simon Fell highlighted the impacts already being felt from government investment in the area and stressed that upgrades to off-shore wind capture facilities would once again see Barrow have the worlds largest off-shore wind farm in the near future.
Jo Lappin, Chief Executive of the Cumbria LEP said "Lord Inglewood was very pleased to host the Invest in Furness Barrow and Beyond event on behalf of colleagues in Westmorland and Furness. We in the LEP want to make things happen and the current planned economic investment in Barrow and the Furness peninsula provide a once in a generation opportunity to create one of the best places in the North West to live and work.
The event was an excellent showcase for the great housing investment opportunities that are currently available and will become available, in the future. The attendance and the level of interest demonstrated that there is real appetite in Barrow and Furness as developers next investment location."
Rear Admiral Donald Doull, DNO Submarine Capability Director at the Ministry of Defence advised that the next stage of submarine development at BAE Systems in Barrow was a globally significant activity and that it presented a transformational opportunity for the Furness area.
Two of the areas of investment are around advanced manufacturing and the development of clean energy, which will create thousands of new jobs in the area. This will require a significant increase in housebuilding to make sure that people can access the job opportunities and live locally. This in turn will ensure that the wealth generated is spent in local shops and cafes meaning that the whole area will benefit.
Cumbria LEP will continue to work with Westmorland & Furness Council and other partners to ensure that our economy maximises the potential of this exciting activity.