The Government has announced that a £2.7m package of Council backed bids has been approved to boost local skills, jobs and businesses.
The huge funding boost for the local economy comes as part of the UK Community Renewal Fund which is part of the Government’s levelling up agenda.
The package includes:
£476,000 directly for Harlow Council to massively improve supply chains and purchasing powers for local SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) to larger local businesses with new training, technology and procurement protocols.
£717,000 of funding for a project managed by Essex County Council to retrofit private properties to be more energy efficient in Harlow and Tendring.
£1.5 million for projects, including at Harlow College, to rocket-boost careers guidance for residents to ensure young people can access high-quality apprenticeships and jobs with new skills.
Councillor Dan Swords, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said:
“Today is a fantastic day for Harlow's businesses and young people. We have helped to secure a £2.7 million package of investment from the Government which will transform careers guidance, apprenticeships and job opportunities as well as massively improving skills and productivity in the local economy.
"The Council worked very hard on our specific bid and further on those that will benefit the town as a whole and I pay special tribute to the Council Officers who have done so much to make this happen.
"I passionately believe that investing in careers, skills, apprenticeships and our local businesses is one of the single most important investments that we can make for the future of our town.
"Building back better is not about these impressive figures, but about improving the life chances for our residents and opening high-quality job and apprenticeship opportunities across Harlow and that is what we are delivering."
Total funding allocations are as follows:
- Harlow Council for the Harlow Local Procurement Protocol - £476,001
- The Retrofit Academy CIC (in partnership with Essex County Council) for the Harlow & Tendring Retrofit Pipeline for Economic Renewal - £717,060
- Essex County Council for the Essex IAG (information, advice and guidance) Connect project to support Harlow and Tendring residents - £720,541
- Harlow College for the Harlow College and Enable East project (Harlow and Tendring) - £779,531