Herefordshire Business News: Marches LEP launches £8.1 million fund for jobs and homes (From Hereford Times)

Herefordshire Business News: Marches LEP launches £8.1 million fund for jobs and homes

3:55pm Wednesday 18th April 2012 in News By Mark Bowen

AN £8.1 million fund to boost investment in the Marches, including Herefordshire, is being launched today.

The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership (MLEP) is inviting proposals for projects in Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin, which will help create jobs and housing.

Successful projects will be given loans from the Government's Growing Places Fund, a pot of £570 million allocated to LEPs to unlock sites for development across the UK.

Dr Geoffrey Davies, chairman of MLEP, said schemes considered could relate to transport infrastructure, flood defence work, or land and property projects which require help with capital costs.

“We are now inviting expressions of interest for the first round of loans from local authorities, the private sector and other potential applicants," said Mr Davies.

Funding will be provided in the form of a loan and will be subject to interest charges. Applications must meet a specified criteria.

Visit www.marcheslep.org.uk for more information. Expressions of Interest must be returned by May 2.