Government's rural economy jobs pledge for Devon

More than 1,100 jobs are expected to be created in Devon and Somerset following a £2.9 million Government investment that will boost the region’s rural economy by £58 million, Farming Minister, Jim Paice announced on his rural roadshow to the region.

Devon and Somerset is one of five regions to benefit from a Rural Growth Network, set up to help rural areas overcome the barriers to economic growth, such as a shortage of business premises and poor broadband access.

Mr Paice announced the Rural Growth Network funding on his rural roadshow to Devon. Defra rural roadshows allow ministers to hear first-hand about rural issues from communities and businesses, to learn about successes and challenges and discover what help is needed to support rural growth and jobs.

Mr Paice is visiting the Earth Centre in Bicton where redundant farm buildings will be transformed into around nine new work premises. This is just one of eleven ‘enterprise hubs’ that the Rural Growth Network will create in Somerset and Devon. Across the network of enterprise hubs, new work premises are being planned to meet every business need, from flexible open plan office space, designed for start-up companies, to larger units that allow businesses to grow.

Each enterprise hub will provide one-to-one advice and support, dedicated mentoring, training, networking opportunities and access to good quality broadband. The Devon and Somerset Rural Growth Network is expected to support over 400 businesses; entrepreneurs will have high quality new work space to start up their companies and over 1,100 jobs will be created as local businesses get the support they need to grow.