Laura Sandys welcomed the Financial Secretary, The Rt Hon Greg Clark MP, to Thanet today as the Treasury announced an extension to the Coastal Communities Fund with the amount on offer increasing to £29 million.
Laura said: “I was thrilled to welcome the Minister to Thanet. The Coastal Communities Fund -aimed at assisting seaside towns in achieving their economic potential- was of course launched in Thanet so I am particularly delighted that Greg was here today to turn the soil at the Marlowe Innovation Centre for a new Coastal Communities Fund financed project set to create 70 jobs in Thanet on completion next year.
“I am also delighted that there will be an increase to next year’s available funding as a direct result of the success of our windfarm industry.
“This week a report was published by the Office for National Statistics looking at the economies of large coastal towns in 2007 and 2010. The picture painted in this study is sadly a very clear reflection of the neglect our seaside towns suffered under the last Government.
“The Coastal Communities Fund however is a very clear commitment from this Government to our seaside towns. Coastal areas around the country are now getting a lot more attention and I am always ensuring that Thanet is put at the very front of the queue in Westminster. In addition to the Coastal Communities Fund, we have been particularly fortunate in securing and benefiting from £35 million of regional growth funding. All of this is very good news indeed for residents in Thanet.
“All the events around Thanet this weekend alone are testament to the energy, vibrancy and aspiration of our local residents. With some financial support from central government, things are very much looking up!