A proposed enterprise zone in Wolverhampton and south Staffordshire could create nearly 15,000 jobs and boost the regional economy by £600m.
Development plans for the economic growth zone will involve building upon the i54 business site situated on the border between Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire.
The proposal launched by City of Wolverhampton Council, Staffordshire County Council and South Staffordshire Council could produce 14,700 jobs and £582m in gross value added (GVA), whilst facilitating educational opportunities through access to 155,000 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses.
Cllr Chris Burden, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills, said: ‘The Central Edge will be an international exemplar area for innovation, green economy, advanced manufacturing and logistics, delivering good transformative growth at scale and pace and creating thousands of jobs.’
‘Growing the economy and creating good jobs for local people is a key priority for the new leadership’, added Martin Murray, Staffordshire County Council’s new Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills.