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New Innovation Centre for Basildon
Basildon Council's £1.2m innovation warehouse to boost business skills in the area.
08:04 08 July 2020
Basildon Council is investing £1.2million to build an innovation centre aimed at boosting business skills in the area as well as the local economy.
The Basildon Innovation Warehouse planned for the Green Centre in Wat Tyler Country Park will provide businesses and entrepreneurs space where they can work together and swap business ideas. The project will also receive additional £850,000 from the South Eastern Local Enterprise Partnership.
Labour councillor Aidan McGurran, chairman of the external affairs, partnerships and liaison committee, said: "While our local digital, creative and ICT economic sector is growing at a phenomenal rate, we are providing a well-thought-out place for these new, ambitious businesses to expand into and create a stronger economy.
"The innovation warehouse will hothouse local skills and entrepreneurs to support the next generation of successful businesses, including high-tech ventures in the vital science, technology, engineering and mathematics sectors.
"We're going to address the challenges people face commuting out of the borough by creating a vibrant and attractive hub for local and regional entrepreneurs.
"By combining an inspiring environment with specialist facilities, equipment and businesses, we are looking at approximately 80 new jobs coming from the innovation warehouse in its first year and many more thereafter. Flourishing enterprises based within the innovation warehouse will help to contribute millions of pounds into the local economy."