Kevin Foster, the Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman for Torbay, has welcomed news that an additional £1.575m of Coastal Communities Cash is on its way to the bay after lobbying by the Council, Torbay Development Agency and Kevin.
The funding encompasses three projects, Route to Retail, the Events Programme and the Electronics & Photonics Innovation Centre (EPIC).
The Coastal Communities Funding will form part of an £8m funding package to create the flagship Electronics and Photonic Innovation Centre at White Rock to house equipment, support services, office and clean room space to develop a growing high tech cluster and create higher value and sustainable jobs.
Torbay is one of the country’s leading areas for electronics and photonics expertise, with the sector currently employing approximately 1000 Full Time Employees.
Route to Retail will offer support to start up and existing retail businesses lacking a high street presence. It will enable entrepreneurs, with an online only sales presence, to trade in the town centre and support those already there to better market themselves to customers using new technology and social media.
The Events Programme will deliver four new events including an air and sea show, a gaming event and maritime/boat show. These events are intended to attract new visitors to the Bay and extend the visitor season beyond the traditional summer peak period.
The funding for Torbay is part of a national package of 36 schemes in seaside towns who will receive a share of £36 million which will help to create nearly 3,000 new jobs and almost 1,500 apprenticeships.
Kevin said: “I am delighted to hear news of the latest Coastal Communities Funding that is coming to the bay, particularly the fact that it includes support for growing our High Tech industries. I made developing Silicon Bay a key part of My Plan for the Bay, this announcement shows the Conservative Led Government setting in place the foundations for delivering this.”