Government funding boost for science park

The Government today announced £138m worth of funding for the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) as part of the Growth Deal.

The University has been provisionally allocated £4.9m towards a new £10m Science, Technology and Prototyping Centre at the University of Wolverhampton Science Park.

The proposed centre will offer an environment providing high specification laboratory space, prototyping space and resources, as well as access to multiple business support channels for science/technology-based businesses.

Plans for the centre, on a site adjacent to the Science Park’s Technology Centre, are currently being developed and it is hoped it will be up and running by December 2016.

Professor Ian Oakes, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and External Engagement, said: “This is extremely welcome news for the city and wider Black Country; this will allow us to move forward with the next phase of the development at the Science Park which will have a positive impact on the area.

“We have identified there is a need for access to laboratories and prototyping resources for businesses looking to enter or grow within certain markets. By providing these facilities we will break down barriers for businesses wishing to operate in these markets, but are unable to do so due to limited availability and high costs.

“Businesses will now have an extremely good reason to locate or remain in the Black Country. They will not only have access to these new facilities but to the stream of highly skilled and enthusiastic graduates entering the workforce from the University.

“In addition, the centre and its businesses will be able to provide invaluable work placements and live brief projects for students during their studies and early careers, improving their skills and longer term employability and career opportunities.”

The Black Country LEP is made up of the four councils of the region, partners and businesses including the University.

ENDS

For more information please contact James Allen in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322003.

Date Issued: Monday 7 July 2014