Throughout 2016 Dorset LEP was instrumental in delivering a number of initiatives to help drive economic growth, improve housing, transport and infrastructure, and create more highly skilled jobs across Dorset.
We are pleased to share some of our highlights below…
January
January saw the official launch of the Bournemouth International Growth (BIG) programme, an ambitious major economic growth plan focused on employment and development around Bournemouth Airport. Dorset LEP secured almost £40 million through the Dorset Growth Deal to fund the programme.
February
Work began on a new state-of-the-art agri-tech building at Kingston Maurward College, a land-based college near Dorchester. £900,000 was secured by Dorset LEP through the Dorset Growth Deal to fund the contemporary building, reaffirming our commitment to Dorset’s rural and agricultural strengths.
March
At the LEP Annual Conference 2016 it was announced that a total of £5bn of private sector leverage was secured by Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs). The conference highlighted Dorset LEP’s Growth Hub as a ‘national exemplar’.
April
We unveiled details of a £23.3 million investment into four major transport schemes to improve access into and around the Port of Poole.
May
May marked the completion of our first Dorset Growth Deal funded project. The nine month long £22 million major rebuild of the A338 was the first project to be delivered as part of the £40 million BIG Programme.
June
Kingston Maurward College officially unveiled its new £1.2 million state-of-the-art agri-tech centre today co-financed with funds secured by Dorset LEP through the Dorset Growth Deal.
We also announced a major £565,150 upgrade to Bournemouth & Poole College’s Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing facilities
July
The Dorset LEP BIG Programme prospectus was launched, promoting the benefits of Aviation Business Park as an employment site to businesses looking to expand or locate their business in Bournemouth.
A £3.9 million scheme of major road improvements on a section of the A349 at Gravel Hill started in July as part of a Dorset LEP multi-million-pound investment into the Port of Poole’s transport infrastructure.
August
We were pleased to announce the appointment of four new private sector professionals to the Dorset LEP board
September
Plans for the next tranche of major transport schemes as part of the Dorset LEP BIG Programme were announced.
A major £4.7 million overhaul of Poole Bridge also started this month as part of a series of major transport schemes to improve access into and around the Port of Poole.
October
A new world-class orthopaedic gait analysis laboratory - the ‘GRAIL’ (gait real-time analysis interactive laboratory) - and state-of-the-art virtual reality training equipment were installed at Bournemouth University’s Orthopaedic Research Institute (BUORI) thanks to a £700,000 local growth fund investment.
We also officially opened Bournemouth & Poole College’s newly refurbished Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing facilities which received a major upgrade thanks to a £565,150 investment secured by Dorset LEP through the Dorset Growth Deal.
November
Bournemouth & Poole College’s financial and business services facility at Lansdowne received a major revamp thanks to a £2 million investment secured by Dorset LEP through the Dorset Growth Deal.
Gravel Hill (A349) reopened to motorists following a four month closure as part of major improvements costing £3.9 million being carried out to improve access into and around the Port of Poole.
December
We signed a £100k grant agreement with the Careers & Enterprise Company to deliver an ‘Enterprise Adviser Network’ for 40 schools and colleges across Dorset.
We would like to thank all of those who have supported our work throughout 2016 and look forward to developing new growth opportunities in 2017.
Please note that our offices will be closed from 3.30pm Friday 23 December and will re-open Tuesday 3 January 2017.