The Government has today announced that Greater Lincolnshire will receive £25.8 million from the Getting Building Fund to deliver ‘shovel-ready’ projects.

The Government has today announced that the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership will receive £25.8 million from the Getting Building Fund to deliver ‘shovel-ready’ projects to help the local economy and create jobs.

The announcement is part of a comprehensive plan by the Government to upgrade local infrastructure and enhance skills to accelerate economic recovery across the UK following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The investment will support economic recovery across Greater Lincolnshire and will be used to support key sectors, improve digital infrastructure, support skills and career opportunities and help the area to transition to a low-carbon economy.

Pat Doody, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, said: “Today’s announcement is very welcome and is reflective of the excellent collaborative working between the LEP and its partners.

“As we reshape our Local Industrial Strategy and recovery plans to reflect the impact of the pandemic, it is important that we help build an economy that it is more resilient in the long term and which responds to the needs of our businesses and communities.

“We will continue to work with the Government on future funding for investments to support our ambitions and look forward to delivering this transformative programme for Greater Lincolnshire.” 

The Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government, Simon Clarke MP, said: “We want to build back better to fuel a green economic recovery across the country by investing in infrastructure, creating jobs and building the homes people need.

“That is why we are investing £900 million in shovel-ready projects through our Getting Building Fund. This funding will unlock homes, create new jobs and deliver investment in commercial and green spaces and a much-needed boost to the local economy.”

Councillor Colin Davie, Executive Councillor for Economy and Place at Lincolnshire County Council, said: "The confirmation of the funding we will receive for these key projects in Greater Lincolnshire will provide a much-needed boost. The work we are doing demonstrates our shared ambition to encourage more growth in these sectors and provide high quality training and employment opportunities for our residents. Of course more investment in the county for our longer-term work is also critical for our economic recovery."

The decision to allocate this funding comes after several projects were submitted to the Government for consideration last month. The projects chosen to receive funding were considered to provide the most value in terms of restarting the local economy.

The funding has been allocated to the following six projects across Greater Lincolnshire:

  • The Centre for Innovation in Rural Health

The brand new state-of-the-art category two laboratory will be located within the University of Lincoln’s Medical School and will act as an investment magnet to support high-skilled jobs and drive the growth of the health and care sector.

  • Holbeach Food Enterprise Zone

Investment into this project will focus on supporting infrastructure and helping the south Lincolnshire FEZ to capitalise on the nationally significant food-tech and agri-tech sectors. While supporting Greater Lincolnshire’s largest industry, this project will create 973 new jobs.

  • Skills Capital Investment Programme

This project will help Greater Lincolnshire to address potential job losses, enabling up-skilling and diversification. The programme will occupy a 3,800 sqm new training space, help to support 988 new learners and provide 390 new training places.

  • Lincoln Science and Innovation Park (Phase Two)

At the core of this campus will be an R&D institute, funded by this project, jointly developed with the University of Lincoln with a focus on intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, digital communications and cyber technologies, helping to assist 125 new learners while creating 50 new jobs.

  • Killingholme Pumping Station – ABLE Marine Energy Park

A new pumping station and other drainage infrastructure will be built to facilitate further development of the South Humber Bank, creating 1,500 new jobs.  

  • Greater Lincolnshire Cycling Programme

Scheme 1 - The Immingham to Grimsby Cycle Superhighway

This scheme will provide a high-quality and safe off-road cycle link to allow sustainable access to employment sites and training opportunities across the South Humber Bank between Grimsby and Immingham. 

Scheme 2 - Lincolnshire Coastal County Park Cycleway

This project will promote greater opportunities for local and tourism access on the east coast of Lincolnshire. The scheme will contribute to both the local economy and sustainable transport opportunities within the area.