Five Nottinghamshire towns and three based in Derbyshire will benefit from the Government’s new Towns Fund it has been announced.
The Nottinghamshire towns of Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Mansfield, Newark-on-Trent, Stapleford, and Sutton-in-Ashfield join Clay Cross, Long Eaton, and Staveley in Derbyshire on the shortlist of 100 towns from across England.
The £3.6 billion new Towns Fund is designed to support towns with ambitions of a more prosperous future and the eight D2N2 locations on the shortlist will now work with the government to develop innovative regeneration plans.
The towns eligible for support from funding include places with proud industrial and economic heritage but have not always benefitted from economic growth in the same way as more prosperous areas.
Communities, businesses and local leaders will now join forces to draw up ambitious plans to transform their town’s economic growth prospects with a focus on improved transport, broadband connectivity, skills and culture.
Local Government Secretary and MP for Newark, Robert Jenrick, said: “Ensuring that prosperity and opportunities are available to everyone in this country, not just those in London or our biggest cities, is at the heart of the mission of this government.
“We want to level-up our great towns, raising living standards and ensuring they can thrive with transformative investment in transport, technology, skills and culture.
D2N2 CEO Sajeeda Rose said: “D2N2 is a key part of the Midlands economy so I’m pleased to see this latest commitment from the government to invest within our region.
“The new Towns Fund will lead to stronger towns which will become key drivers of economic growth across the wider region leading to a more productive, prosperous, and inclusive community.”
Once approved, new Town Fund Deals will improve connectivity, provide vital social and cultural infrastructure and boost growth – with communities having a say on how the money is spent.
The Town Fund builds directly on the government’s commitment to decentralising funding and decisions away from Whitehall and investing in the growth of local economies and devolving powers through ambitious City and Growth Deals, providing more than £9 billion of funding to Local Enterprise Partnerships such as D2N2 and introducing 8 Metro Mayors in England.
D2N2 is the private sector-led partnership of business, local authorities, skills and training providers, and community and voluntary services representatives which promotes economic growth across the area of Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
Media wanting more information about the D2N2 LEP can contact Luke Stott, D2N2 Digital Marketing Officer, on 0115 9578749 or email: Luke.Stott@d2n2lep.org
