Shropshire Enterprise Zone bid by MP Philip Dunne
Ludlow MP Philip Dunne is calling for business and council leaders in Shropshire to come together in a bid to make the region an Enterprise Zone.
There are 24 such zones in UK, designated by the Government with the aim of boosting the local economy.
Businesses inside such zones can benefit from lower taxes, access to superfast broadband and streamlined planning permission to upgrade local infrastructure.
Mr Dunne is urging now urging town and parish councils across the Marches to work with Marches Local Enterprise Partnership to put forward ambitious plans for a new Enterprise Zone in the county.
He said: "Enterprise Zones have been a big success, helping alleviate the burden of business rates and promote growth and jobs. We have seen them work in cities, and now with the opportunity to extend to more rural areas, Shropshire could really stand to benefit."
He said ministers wanted local business and civic leaders to encourage firms with shared interests to stand together and form a stronger commercial proposition.
In particular, he said, he would like to see local authorities "seize the economic initiative" by identifying businesses on their patch with investment or export potential.
He said: "These new zones, if supported by a strong business case, will enable places to drive growth and jobs creation.
"I will be encouraging the cabinet of Shropshire Council at our meeting with Shropshire MPs this Friday to make a strong case to help secure an Enterprise Zone boost to our local economy."
By last December the 24 existing Enterprise Zones had attracted 15,500 jobs around the country since they opened over the past three years, and delivered a multibillion-pound boost to local economies, he said.
