InvestSK is 'making progress' says leader of South Kesteven District Council
InvestSK is ‘making progress’, says its chairman Coun Kelham Cooke.
The council-owned economic regeneration company has produced its first Annual Review, with it reporting a list of achievements.
Launched last October, InvestSK aims to work in partnership with its owner and creator- South Kesteven District Council- to bring jobs and investment to the district.
The review comes as InvestSK, which has an annual budget of around £1m a year, faced calls for greater ‘transparency’ from councillors last month and council leader Kelham Cooke saying its ambitions would also be reviewed.
In a foreword, Coun Cooke spoke of progress in gaining government funding for a university centre in Grantham amid other schemes.
He said: “It’s early days, but InvestSK is making progress.”
The review said InvestSK has worked directly with 100 businesses to help them expand into new premises, creating 250 jobs.
InvestSK has also prepared investment propositions for more than 300 acres of land and showcased South Kesteven at business events.
The company is giving support and funding to help 15 people create start-up businesses and it helped create 52 new jobs through its Town Centre Investment Fund helping businesses, including Iris and Violet in Stamford and the Bourne Bookshop.
InvestSK also helped Workplace Property develop the Riverside Business Park in Bourne.
The review says demand for employment land and premises outstrips supply, which is why it and SKDC is prioritising development at St Martin’s Park and Exeter Park in Stamford and Riverside Business Park in Bourne.
It also helped promote the district through Discover Kesteven and supported festivals across the district.
CEO Steve Bowyer said his staff have been working hard to deliver economic growth. InvestSK would also seek new funding streams as it continues to support businesses, arts and other groups in its programme.
