Rachel has welcomed the progress made in the development of a Digital Manufacturing and Innovation Centre in Redditch.
It forms part of the game changing £15.6 million Town Deal the Government awarded the town.
The 2,550m2 facility, which will be built on the site of the old police station, will provide flexible office and workspace for start-ups, as well as providing support to existing manufacturing businesses.
The centre will help develop more innovation within Redditch’s economy and encourage productivity growth within the town’s manufacturing sector through the development of digital and 5G technologies.
Work is progressing to develop the centre. To make way for the new facility, the former police station in the town centre has been demolished with contractors finishing ahead of schedule. The site has now been handed over to Redditch Borough Council and has been secured with fencing. It’s expected the entire project will be completed by 2026.
The police have relocated to a temporary base in the Kingfisher Shopping Centre before moving to their permanent home at the new Blue Light Hub on Birmingham Road later this year.
Rachel said: “The Government and I are ambitious about Redditch’s future, which is why we were awarded a £15.6 million Town Deal to ensure our economy is fit for the future.
“The Digital Manufacturing and Innovation Centre is a key component of our game-changing plan. It will enable more businesses to grow and flourish, creating new jobs for local people and ensuring our workforce has the skills employers need for the economy of the future.”