Insider Media Limited

Northamptonshire has been granted local enterprise partnership (LEP) status almost a year after initial bids were accepted. The Northamptonshire LEP, which becomes the 38th to be accepted by the government, said it would help create 70,000 jobs over the next 15 years.

The Northamptonshire LEP covers a population of about 683,000 and represents more than 24,785 businesses.

The government has so far accepted 38 partnerships since it published its Local Growth white paper in October last year.

Northamptonshire said its priorities through the zone included increasing the coverage of superfast broadband; regenerating and improving connectivity between the main population areas and supporting the tourism industry.

Growing the role of sectors like advanced manufacturing and engineering, information technology and logistics would also be on the agenda, confirmed representatives.

Paul Southworth, chairman of the Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership (NEP), said the move marked "a significant milestone" in the development of the region's economy.

He added that the NEP's "action-oriented approach" helped earn the county its LEP.

"The Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership (NEP) is about business. It is led by business and is specifically targeted at supporting business growth and attracting new business investment for Northamptonshire," said Southworth.

"What this announcement means for Northamptonshire, is that NEP can continue to deliver activities that help develop the Northamptonshire economy for the benefit of the county's communities, businesses and visitors; taking direct action to deliver jobs growth and prosperity."

Northamptonshire's partnership joins the Leicester and Leicestershire; Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire and the South Midlands LEPs as the East Midlands' representatives.

Decentralisation minister Greg Clark said: "Northamptonshire has huge potential for growth and in the next ten years is well placed to help drive national economic recovery. The Northamptonshire local enterprise partnership will see local civic and business leaders take the reins of the local economy and exploit this potential for Northamptonshire to become a powerhouse for the economy.

"We now have 38 local enterprise partnerships that are a testament to the strength of local leadership, ideas and ambition across the country and will help create a fairer, more balanced economy driven by private sector strength."