Pickles introduces further £100m Enterprise Zone cash

An extra £100m will be pumped into Enterprise Zones, the Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has announced.

The cash injection aims to help Enterprise Zones complete major infrastructure projects including road building and clearance of derelict sites.

Formed as a competitive fund, LEPs can bid for a share of the pot before November 18.

The latest tranche is part of the £700m investment in the Zones which allow local areas to generate 100% of the business rates they generate.

Mr Pickles said: “Enterprise Zones are at the centre of our plans to back business, help local economies grow stronger and give the UK that competitive edge.

“The Zones are showing progress with over 180 businesses, half a billion pounds of private sector investment and nearly 4,000 jobs, and many more in the pipeline.

“We want to help them grow further and faster and this extra £100 million investment will ensure they have the infrastructure in place to successfully attract even more businesses and create many more local jobs.”

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