Year of achievement for partnership team

A 'year of transformative delivery' - that's how the Heart of South West Local Partnership describes 2023 as it looks back on the past 12 months.
It says the year has been one of impactful funding commitments and initiatives.
Since January, the LEP has continued to work with stakeholders to provide funding and support for local businesses, skills, and job creation.
To date, LEP-funded activities have created over 7,800 new jobs, helped over 18,000 businesses to grow, and connected over 9,500 homes and businesses to superfast broadband. Major business support projects include the launch of the British Business Bank’s £200 million South West Investment Fund and the new Angel Investor Programme, set to drive economic growth by identifying, educating, and supporting new investors.
Paul Coles, CEO of South West Business Council and Board member of the Heart of the South West LEP, said: “The Heart of the South West LEP has been instrumental in supporting local businesses over the past year. Access to finance and free support is particularly important for our SMEs, who face economic uncertainty and challenges around supply chains, talent, net zero and digitalisation.”
The Digital Leadership for SMEs training programme, led by Devon County Council with support from the LEP, launched in June to help small businesses enhance their digital capabilities.
The LEP will also be committing a further £1.3 million into developing the digital economy, working closely with Connecting Devon & Somerset to support the rollout of superfast broadband to hard-to-reach communities.
Significant science and innovation projects were secured this year. The University of Plymouth Cyber Resilience of Offshore Wind Networks (CROWN) project, supported by a £650,000 grant from the LEP, will incorporate a purpose-built lab space to identify potential vulnerabilities in wind turbines.
Professor Judith Petts, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Plymouth and Board member of the Heart of the South West LEP, said: "The LEP's support has been crucial in advancing innovation in the region where national leading facilities exist. Projects like CROWN showcase the LEP’s commitment to innovation, which aligns with our vision to address real-world challenges through cutting-edge solutions.”
Plymouth Science Park secured £507,000 for a state-of-the-art additive manufacturing facility, expanding the Park’s offer to additive manufacturing and engineering companies.
Significant strides in infrastructure included the development of business units at Barrack Court (Plymouth) and Lymington Road (Torquay), supporting local businesses in accessing modern facilities, and the opening of a new Wickes store at Edginswell Business Park (Torquay), generating employment opportunities and boosting the local economy.
The opening of Marsh Barton Railway, underpinned by a £4.4 million investment from the Growth Deal fund, will enhance local connectivity.