Mayor awards more than £500,000 to unlock future growth

Nine projects across Greater Lincolnshire receive funding to develop investment-ready opportunities that will support jobs, infrastructure and economic growth.

The Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority (GLCCA) has awarded £559,400 through its Growth Development Fund to support nine projects that will help unlock future investment opportunities across the region. The awards form part of a £1.5 million programme designed to help local authorities develop business cases, test project viability and build a pipeline of investment-ready schemes.

The Growth Development Fund supports projects that align with the GLCCA Corporate Plan, driving innovation, improving transport connectivity, overcoming infrastructure barriers and creating opportunities for businesses and communities.

Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, Dame Andrea Jenkyns, said:

"We are determined to make Greater Lincolnshire an absolute powerhouse for investment, innovation, and high-quality jobs. This £559,400 injection isn't just about funding paperwork; it is the vital spark that will turn ambitious concepts into shovel-ready realities.

"From advanced manufacturing at Somerby Park in Gainsborough and unlocking the next phase of our flagship food sector hub at Holbeach, to critical rail upgrades and breathing new life into Grimsby Library as a modern skills centre, these nine projects target the exact areas that will drive our economy forward.

"The high volume of applications shows the sheer scale of ambition across our local councils. The GLCCA is proud to back the ideas that will transform our communities, deliver real value for money, and successfully attract the private sector investment we need to thrive."

Projects receiving funding include:

• An Innovation Connect Programme to help businesses access innovation support and specialist advice.
• Studies to improve rail freight capacity and passenger rail services between Scunthorpe and Doncaster.
• Development work to support investment opportunities at the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone.
• An Advanced Manufacturing Campus proposal at Somerby Park, Gainsborough.
• An Ag-Zone Strategic Framework and Infrastructure Readiness Study to support agricultural innovation and growth.
• A feasibility study to assess demand for professional services workspace across South and East Lincolnshire.
• A project exploring opportunities for the future use of Grimsby Library as a skills, digital training and community hub.

Cllr Sean Matthews, leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said: “This is evidence of our strong working relationship with the Mayor for Greater Lincolnshire and her office, as we have developed strong, impactful bids to attract investment from the combined authority.

“These projects that will support business growth, productivity and jobs in the county, and in particular support our rural economy which plays a vital role in national food security.

“This funding is also a solid demonstration of how we can support growth and innovative projects through stronger investment propositions and bids instead of borrowing. It shows how we can successfully attract investment into our local economy, without burdening the council with debt, and we’ll be looking to double down on this approach going forward.

“I’m excited to see how these projects progress over the next year and look forward to reporting back on their undoubted success against our local growth objectives.”

 

On awarding both projects funding, the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority commended the proposals for their strong strategic fit, clear delivery plans and good value for money.

Professor Neal Juster, Vice Chancellor, University of Lincoln, said:

“It is great news that we have secured funding for the Innovation Connect pilot project. This has huge potential to drive innovation across the business community.

"Through this initiative, we aim to become a more accessible R&D partner for businesses, providing direct support through dedicated Growth Hub advisers who will work closely with the university's business team.  This will make it easier for businesses to connect with our academics, expertise and specialist facilities, helping them to innovate and grow.

"This strategic intervention will allow us to be impactful with the support we’re planning to deliver and will provide a template for a wider model that will help even more local businesses find ways to innovate and drive growth.”

The first funding round attracted 18 applications from local authorities across Greater Lincolnshire, demonstrating strong demand for support to develop future growth opportunities. Nine projects were approved following a robust assessment process, with funding remaining available for future rounds.

The Growth Development Fund is designed to help create a strong pipeline of projects that can progress to future business cases and capital investment opportunities, supporting the Authority's ambitions for economic growth, innovation and infrastructure investment across Greater Lincolnshire.

Notes to Editors

• The Growth Development Fund is a £1.5 million programme established by the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority.
• The fund supports feasibility studies, business case development and investment-readiness activity.
• Projects support GLCCA priorities including innovation, investment, transport, infrastructure, skills and economic growth