MIRA Technology Park Enterprise Zone given cash boost to secure local jobs
MIRA Technology Park Enterprise Zone has been awarded £7.4 million of government investment, bringing new jobs to the local area, it was announced today.
Local Growth Minister Kris Hopkins announced the money on a trip to the Hinckley site today, and revealed that the funding will be used for the construction of key infrastructure on the site.
Kris Hopkins visited the site to see how Enterprise Zone status is transforming MIRA – formerly a small government funded research centre – into Europe’s most advanced transport technology facility, which will employ more than 2,500 people by 2021.
The Local Growth Minister revealed the investment as part of the government’s long term economic plan to pump £23 million into infrastructure, creating jobs in Bristol, Manchester, Norfolk and Leicestershire. The funding is the remaining part of a £550m package of support for Enterprise Zones to complete critical ‘nuts and bolts’ infrastructure that will turn sites into prime economic land.
Kris Hopkins said:
“Enterprise Zones are showing that our long term economic plan to secure a better future is spreading businesses, jobs and skills training across the country.
“Today’s cash injection will give four zones the raw ingredients to make their sites a stronger, more competitive business environment that will attract new jobs for hardworking local people.
“It will be fascinating to see MIRA, sixty years on, developing the kind of ground-breaking technology that is putting Leicestershire and the UK at the forefront of automotive research and development.”
Since their start three years ago, Enterprise Zones have created over 9,000 jobs, attracted over 300 businesses and secured £1.2 billion of private sector investment.
George Gillespie, CEO at MIRA Ltd, said:
“We are delighted to be receiving this funding, which will help us to create more jobs within the immediate area and continue to build on the success of the park. To date, MIRA Technology Park has created 250 jobs and attracted big global tenants such as Haldex, Bosch Engineering, Lockheed Martin and Ashok Leyland.
“The funding will also enable us to continue to create a centre of excellence, maintaining our position as the heart of Europe’s automotive research and development community.”
The 1.75 million sq. ft. MIRA Technology Park was granted Enterprise Zone status in August 2011 and aims to be Europe’s most advanced independent transport technology facility.
