Construction work is to begin in May on a £7 million state-of-the-art innovation centre on the Keele University campus.
The 30,000 sq ft scheme is a joint partnership between Staffordshire County Council and Keele University, and is expected to create 130 jobs. It has been ten years since a facility of this scale was built in the area.
Staffordshire’s economy leader, Cllr Mark Winnington, said he was pleased to announce the start of construction after the council took the decision to invest in the scheme four years ago.
“It will further Keele University Science and Business Park’s reputation internationally as a prime location for innovation in the medical, technology and engineering sectors,” he added
“The expansion of the park will lead to an increase in the cluster of this type of industry in Staffordshire and we are confident this can continue to grow.
“The centre will add to our drive to attract high quality businesses and jobs and bring real long-term benefits to the county”.
The new development will be located on an established site on the university campus. Outline planning permission has been approved for 13 plots of land, while businesses are being offered the chance to develop buildings ranging from 13,000 to 940,000 sq ft.
Professor Nick Foskett, Vice Chancellor at Keele University, said: “Effective collaboration between businesses and Keele is critical to underpin innovation- based economic growth across and beyond Staffordshire and the global visibility of Keele is a key asset in the driving international investment we are keen to harness”.
The Keele University campus has established itself as a proven business location and is currently home to 42 businesses including Siemens Wind Power Research & Development, Adecco Enterprise, Navman Wireless Vehicle Tracking Systems and GVA Acuity Ltd.
A recent report classified 97 per cent of the university’s research as world leading and of international importance.
The latest facility is due to be completed by spring of next year.
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