Member Article

South Tees Development Corporation meets to boost Tees Valley

This week marked the first meeting of the Shadow Board for the South Tees Development Corporation, a body setup to drive future growth, job creation and economic prosperity in the Tees Valley area.

The board meeting, which featured elected leaders from each of the area’s five councils and partners from leading local businesses ,began their discussions about their future vision for the South Tees area.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Lord Heseltine and local leaders revealed in February plans would go ahead for a new Mayoral Development Corporation, the first of its kind outside of London, to drive forward regeneration and local economic growth in the Tees Valley area.

This week’s meeting will be the first of many as the Development Corporation looks to secure inward investment to create jobs in the Tees Valley area.

Northern Powerhouse Minister James Wharton said: “We have now got the right people on board who will help secure a brighter future for the people of Teesside.

“Along with devolution and the investment that will bring, the support packages government has put in place and the work Lord Heseltine has done on his report, we have every reason to be confident the area will attract greater investment and jobs.”

Lord Heseltine said: “Key to the economic future of the Tees Valley will be securing strong business investment to create jobs for the skilled workforce affected by SSI’s closure.

“These dynamic local civic and business leaders 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.”