Investment appeal over city's 'green corridor'

Firms are being encouraged to move to Wolverhampton's Green Innovation Corridor (GIC) to boost industrial research and development.

The collaboration between the University of Wolverhampton and the city council connects "key assets" at the university Springfield Campus, Science Park, and the i54 business park.

It has received £27m in government funding and will focus on green construction, engineering, computing and cyber-security.

Opportunities to become a partner, developer or owner-occupier are being offered at a trade show in Leeds this week.

The UK's Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum is described by organisers as "the place where conversations start to drive investment and regeneration in our regions".

City of Wolverhampton Council said the corridor would "leverage Wolverhampton and the West Midlands' internationally-recognised advanced manufacturing strengths – particularly in automotive, aerospace and related sectors".

Last summer, the authority said the project would create more than 700 jobs by supporting new, green industries.

Some funding has been made available through the new West Midlands Investment Zone (WMIZ) which aims to create more than 30,000 new jobs and attract £5.5bn in investment.

Professor Prashant Pillai, pro vice-chancellor for research and knowledge exchange at the university, said the university had been looking at research into green engineering and green construction for about 20 years, and that expertise would be used to help businesses grow.

"Through the Green Innovation Corridor we're aiming to establish a world-leading, research-driven innovation district - not just for Wolverhampton, but regionally, nationally, and globally," he said.

Councillor Chris Burden, cabinet member for city development, jobs and skills, said considerable work had been undertaken to get the scheme ready for investment.

"The scheme already has a clear sense of direction and ambition and joining us at this stage provides ample opportunity to further shape the scheme and its offer to future occupiers."

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