Published at 12:23, Friday, 22 June 2012

BRITAIN’S Energy Coast’s mission is “to lead the transition of West Cumbria into an economy that will flourish in a low carbon future”.

BEC aims to establish a dynamic one-stop-shop for economic development that delivers business support and support for energy innovation; funds physical and skills-related regeneration projects; and manages a high-quality business property service.

If we achieve this we can create an entrepreneurial environment where businesses can grow; helping to stimulate wealth and jobs that directly benefit the West Cumbrian community and aid Britain’s response to the pressing challenges of climate change and energy security.

BEC was established back in 2009 to lead the transition of Allerdale and Copeland (West Cumbria) into a diverse low carbon economy capable of exploiting £90bn plus worth of investment in nuclear and renewable energy-related schemes over a 15 year plus period. Originally backed by government funding through the Northwest Regional Development Agency, BEC has evolved into a private-public partnership consisting of nuclear partners – Nuclear Management Partners/ Sellafield Ltd and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, who provide the overwhelming majority of funding; local authorities and independent members from the private sector with experience in sectors of importance to the local economy.

In 2011-12 this evolutionary process saw a regeneration project-focused BEC integrate with funding conduit West Cumbria Development Fund; business support and inward investment organisation West Cumbria Development Agency; and Westlakes Properties Limited – owner and operator of Westlakes Science & Technology Park, assets in Lillyhall and managed workspace in Workington and Threlkeld, near Keswick.

Combined they create a “one-stop shop” for sustainable economic development in West Cumbria which brings together a wealth of in-house expertise and knowledge of the local economy, together with, strong links with the industry and partnerships with agencies such as Britain’s Energy Coast Business Cluster, Britain’s Energy Coast Campus and further education bodies, Invest in Cumbria and Cumbria Chamber of Commerce.

The merging of these organisations represents just the start of a process to create a company capable of grasping the “once-in-a-generation” opportunities this region is being presented with.

BEC’s goal is to deliver a positive legacy for West Cumbria; a place that encourages innovation and entrepreneurialism and is dedicated to helping people and businesses realise their full potential. The West Cumbria Economic Blueprint provides the direction BEC and partners need to take. Working in partnership will be key to success.

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk