An engineering firm has secured £2.28million to deliver new jobs for Harwich and respond to significant opportunities in the offshore wind sector.
AJ Woods Engineering, which is based in the town, is to receive the money from the ‘Growing Places Fund’ following a successful bid to the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP).
The loan obtained from the SELEP will support a comprehensively planned programme of investment in new facilities at Harwich to meet the needs of companies operating in the offshore renewable industry.
Peter Martin, Leader of Essex County Council, said: “Construction of wind turbines off the Essex coast will require many survey vessels working from nearby ports for both construction and maintenance.
“Harwich is the only national sheltered deep water port so securing such activity into the town is not only vital, but makes commercial sense. Creating a significant offshore hub now in Harwich is fundamental for securing long term opportunity and investment into the area.”
Peter Halliday, Leader of Tendring District Council (TDC), welcomed the funding as a significant boost for both Harwich and Tendring.
“We supported the bid by AJ Woods both in principle and by providing practical help,” he said. “We are delighted that it has been successful and that this new investment is being made in one of the key issues of skills and development.
“This Growing Places Funding will help to generate growth and create much-needed jobs for the Tendring District.”
Cllr Halliday added that it is now very important that TDC assists in the delivery of this programme to help ensure that this funding is released and the predicted outcomes achieved.
Tony Woods, Managing Director of AJ Woods, said: “The loan fund is a fantastic opportunity to really make a difference for Harwich. This development will help to bring international companies and manufacturing to the town and provide skilled work for local people to help secure their long term future and prosperity.
“We could now have 15 – 25 years work here in the District with the new offshore wind farms that are going to be built off our coast. A similar venture in Ramsgate has led to a boom in employment for local people there.”
The project will look to create a dedicated harbour and operations centre for high speed offshore support vessels. 300 local jobs are to be created through this initial programme of activity.
Construction work on the new facilities will start as soon as possible in the New Year.
The funding for AJ Woods Engineering was part of £8.7million worth of Growing Places Funding recently announced by the SELEP Board.
Six schemes will benefit from the funding that could lead to 2,365 jobs being created.
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Press release, December 11, 2012; Image: ajwoodsengineering