How UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund helped Flintshire
The project's aim to improve employment opportunities, foster business growth, and upgrade important amenities.
The financial aid, distributed between 2022-2025, focused on three main themes: communities and place, people and skills, and supporting local businesses.
The fund also supported 'Multiply', an initiative to boost adult numeracy skills.
As a result of the investment, data shows that about 15,000 people now have a more positive perception of their local facilities, such as social clubs and community hubs, with 6,073 more residents using these amenities than before.
Graham Wilson (left), Dylunio Solutions Design Director, and Matt Groves (right), AMRC Cymru Manufacturing Research Engineer, with the respiratory mask for military dogs which ADAPTS helped produced. (Image: Supplied)
Flintshire town centres saw significant improvements, including the redevelopment of 13 commercial properties, financial support for 48 events and activities, and bespoke advice for more than 50 businesses.
Many sites also underwent environmental enhancements.
Projects like Flintshire County Council's Strength in Numbers and LEAP, as well as WeMindTheGap's Minding the Gaps of Young People project, have boosted the confidence and skills of youngsters and adults across the county, resulting in 1,709 people gaining a qualification and a further 2,693 people engaged in education or training to improve their employment prospects.
Gordon Elliot, owner and optometrist at Roberts and Polson Opticians who beneffited from the Flintshire County Council's Town Centre Property Improvement Grant (TCPIG), Flint, with Practice Manager, Sue Polson. Around 1,383 Flintshire firms received support, with 429 businesses adopting new innovative technologies and/or processes, and 203 decarbonisation plans developed in line with Wales' net zero by 2050 target.
Design consultancy Dylunio Solutions, for example, received a smart workbench to aid the design and development of a military canine respiratory system.
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Councillor Chris Dolphin, Flintshire County Council cabinet member for economy, environment, and climate, said: "From the increased usage of community facilities to the adoption of green technologies, the positive effects of the UKSPF are evident across Flintshire.
"Thanks to the financial support from the UK Government, the county is well placed to go from strength to strength over the coming years and I hope we see the benefit to the Flintshire economy and an overall greater sense of pride within residents towards their local area."
To learn more about the successes of the UKSPF in Flintshire, visit: https://www.flintshire.gov.uk/en/Business/Shared-Prosperity-Fund/Success-Stories/Success-Stories.aspx.
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