08.05.07
May 9th is Europe Day

May 9th is Europe Day – intended to bring the European Union closer to its citizens.

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has benefited from a number of European structural fund investment programmes, including the Objective 5b programme – where investment that most stands out was in the Eden Project – and Objective One which ran from 2000 to 2006.

Since 2000 about £350 million of Objective One has been invested in 877 projects.

Headline projects under Objective One include the flagship Combined Universities in Cornwall, high speed broadband access for 99% the region, workspace projects across Cornwall, adding value to local fish and agricultural produce, improving the public realm of our towns and villages, and increasing the skills and employment chances of people both in work and those who are not.

The results of investment include more than £70,000 of extra workspace created; the largest cheddar cheese factory in Europe being built; hundreds of food producers supported to develop top quality fare; the opening of Fifteen Cornwall – the Jamie Oliver initiative to train young people from targeted areas to be top chefs; the re-dualling of the main railway line opening up the potential for faster train times; thousands of people offered training and upskilling to progress at work or make their first steps towards work.

And most importantly the region of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is becoming seen as a sought after place to live, work and invest.

This year the next round of structural investment – Convergence funds – will commence and the challenging work of transforming this region's economy will continue.

Editor's notes:

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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