A Government funding boost – set to create thousands of jobs in North Lincolnshire – has been welcomed by North Lincolnshire Council’s leader.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak MP confirmed the funding for the Able Marine Energy Park (AMEP) during his budget speech.
It came alongside a raft of additional support for businesses and further measures designed to stimulate the economy and create jobs in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said:
“This latest announcement of Government funding demonstrates the confidence in the plans and proposals which have been developed and are designed around attracting the investment needed to create well-paid, highly-skilled jobs.
“We have the skills and experience and we are now positioned as central to the development of a world-leading industry – people across North Lincolnshire will directly benefit from this announcement for years to come.
“The Government is taking North Lincolnshire really seriously. This demonstrates their commitment to providing better paid jobs for local people – we are starting to see the Prime Minister’s ambitions for levelling up in the north and we are clearly now in receipt of more cash which will drive that.
“This commitment recognises a lot of work which has taken place across a great many years. Through the Covid-19 pandemic we were able to take stock and raise our ambitions for the people of North Lincolnshire.
“This project, alongside funding for Future High Streets and the Towns Fund means the area will benefit from £100m of Government backing – a real show of confidence and investment that we will use to support the area to bounce back from Covid-19.
“I am really pleased to be able to welcome this cash boost which recognises the ambition and the quality of our plans.”
The funding for the Able Marine Energy Park (AMEP) comes under the Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme (OWMIS).
The total AMEP investment is anticipated to be around £500m – with a £285m contract notice for the project being released recently. Once complete it will provide almost a mile (1,400m) of new deep-water quay alongside a 500 acre development site which has been designated for offshore wind development.
The developers have described the project as a “unique opportunity for the UK” as it begins to further establish a global industrial cluster for offshore wind, enabling the UK to maximise the economic development potential provided by the rapidly expanding offshore wind market.
