Basingstoke ObserverENTERPRISE M3 Local Enterprise Partnership has received a new mandate from Government as ministers announced a new round of funding for EM3 to continue to deliver business-led support for regional economic growth.
The LEP will now go forward with renewed energy to work with partners and implement a new vision to drive a low carbon, high growth economy in the area.
The vision, endorsed by EM3’s business board, builds on the LEP’s outstanding work to date - nurturing high productivity sectors, driving inward investment and seeing businesses through Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic, labour shortages, skills needs and the many ongoing challenges companies face.
A spokesperson shared: “Going forward, using the wealth of expertise across our team, the LEP will continue to provide tailored support to businesses through our Growth Hub. We will help our businesses achieve carbon-friendly growth and compete in international markets.
We will share our sound and authoritative understanding of the economy to carry out strategic planning in partnership with local authorities and will articulate the region’s economic priorities with a roadmap for success.
We will continue to collect business intelligence, support high potential sector clusters, work to attract investment into our area and enhance the conditions where innovation and enterprise flourish.”
Chair of Enterprise M3, Michael Queen, commented: “It’s clear the Government recognises the valuable role LEPs like EM3 play supporting businesses and communities by representing a strong, independent voice and bringing the private, public and not-for-profit sector organisations together.”
We’ve been given a green light by Government to get on with our job of focussing on a high performance, high skill economy, driving economic growth and prosperity for the future.”
EM3 has a strong track record of success, and we remain committed to creating new opportunities for our businesses and communities across the M3 corridor.”
The Government has also clarified how LEPs across England will operate in the coming years. Ultimately, LEPs will integrate with local authorities. For now, EM3 is among a number of LEPs to continue in its current form and the Government has given LEPs a clear message to move forward bringing an independent business voice.
The deputy leader of Hampshire County Council, Cllr Rob Humby, and EM3 director, added: “I am really pleased to endorse the revised EM3 vision that echoes the County Council’s 2050 vision for Hampshire, its residents, businesses, and visitors. This Council’s vision is for a thriving and prosperous economy; providing high quality and inclusive employment and business opportunities; whilst maintaining and enhancing the quality of life and reducing inequality and economic exclusion. With the potential options for Government devolution emerging, the need for ongoing collective work is paramount through effective and efficient partnerships. This is extremely evident as set out in the new EM3 vision document.”
