{"id":67767,"date":"2016-02-19T12:17:44","date_gmt":"2016-02-19T12:17:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=85a508ab9a4a938f2b31d2d96cdcc79c"},"modified":"2016-02-19T12:17:44","modified_gmt":"2016-02-19T12:17:44","slug":"press-release-new-body-to-secure-investment-for-tees-valley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=67767","title":{"rendered":"Press release: New body to secure investment for Tees Valley"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Plans to drive growth, create jobs and secure the economic future of Tees Valley took a major step forward today (19 February 2016) as local leaders were put in pole position to transform the former SSI steelworks site.<\/p>\n

Former Deputy Prime Minister Lord Heseltine revealed plans would go full-steam ahead for a new Mayoral Development Corporation \u2013 the first of its kind outside of London \u2013 to drive forward regeneration and local economic growth in the Tees Valley area.<\/p>\n

Work will start immediately to form the corporation. This will offer a vehicle for greater powers to be devolved, in areas including regeneration planning and business support. These powers will be available at the new Mayor\u2019s disposal so the area can quickly take up economic opportunities as they arise.<\/p>\n

Since the closure of SSI in October, the government has put in place a multi-million pound package of support for the affected local community. Lord Heseltine has been tasked with encouraging investment to create new job opportunities across the Tees Valley.<\/p>\n

He visited PD Ports today to witness the completion of a multi million-pound project to upgrade and improve infrastructure at Teesport \u2013 located at the centre of the site that will benefit from the new Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC<\/abbr>). <\/p>\n

Local business leaders say the investment will play a role in the return of economic vibrancy to the area – something the new corporation will look to deliver by securing investment from the UK and overseas to bring in new jobs and businesses.<\/p>\n

Communities Secretary Greg Clark said:<\/p>\n

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The closure of the SSI site has been incredibly difficult for Redcar and the wider Tees Valley and we\u2019re determined to continue our support for the local community.<\/p>\n

Already, up to \u00a380 million government funding is in place to ensure former SSI workers and local affected businesses get the support they need.<\/p>\n

This new Mayoral Development Corporation is the next step, putting local people who know the area best at the heart of driving regeneration and delivering new businesses and jobs for the community.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Former Deputy Prime Minister Lord Heseltine said:<\/p>\n

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Key to the economic future of the Tees Valley will be the regeneration of sites and securing strong business investment to create jobs for the skilled workforce affected by SSI\u2019s closure.<\/p>\n

Under dynamic leadership the new Mayoral Development Corporation will provide the strategic vision to make that happen and give investors from the UK and abroad the confidence to put down roots in the Tees Valley for years to come.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Northern Powerhouse Minister James Wharton said:<\/p>\n

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The work of Lord Heseltine\u2019s taskforce is providing the catalyst to securing strong national and international investment in the Tees Valley in the wake of SSI\u2019s closure.<\/p>\n

The new interim MDC<\/abbr> Board will set a future vision for regeneration and advise on the establishment of the Mayoral Development Corporation, in order to drive forward regeneration and growth across the Tees Valley.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Councillor Sue Jeffrey, Chair of the Tees Valley Shadow Combined Authority said:<\/p>\n

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I welcome this agreement and confirmation that government is to take responsibility for the SSI site and establish an intermediate body to ensure safety and security in the short-term. But it is the long-term regeneration of the area that is my main focus.<\/p>\n

This announcement includes proposals to fast-track the Mayoral Development Corporation agreed in our devolution deal and this is a positive step forward. This can\u2019t be just about new structures and boards \u2013 we will work with government to secure the necessary powers and funding to create a viable future for the area as a whole.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Government support for Tees Valley<\/h2>\n

The government\u2019s package of up to \u00a380 million support for the Tees Valley includes:<\/p>\n