A ten-year plan for the Tees Valley is moving from into delivery, with skills, transport, business growth and attracting investment identified as central priorities.
The Local Growth Plan has been developed through with input from the region’s councils, business community, colleges, university and other partners.
One strand focuses on helping businesses at different stages of growth, including a universal support offer and more intensive packages for firms with the potential to expand substantially.
Transport is another major part of the programme. Around £1 billion of transport investment is being delivered across the region, alongside work intended to improve rail connectivity and projects including the Darlington Northern Link.
The plan also places emphasis on skills and work experience. Tees Valley is one of the areas running the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer, which supports young people who are not currently in education, employment or training and can fund extended work placements with local employers.
The five areas each have a distinct part in the wider strategy, with the aim of linking investment more closely to the strengths and needs of Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees.
: Details checked against Tees Business. This article reports the published plan and does not endorse any political party or office-holder.