Council in running for major grants

By Richard Wright

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

 

TWO major Isle of Wight Council bids to the government’s Regional Growth Fund (RGF) have been shortlisted.

The council wants £1 million to support the Solent Ocean Energy Centre for the development of tidal power and a similar amount to create a pot of money for accommodation providers to upgrade their tourism businesses.

Shortlisting of the tourism bid follows the disappointment of the council being turned down for Coastal Communities Fund money for the same scheme.

Both the latest bids were among 414 which have been made to the RGF. This week the council learned they had been shortlisted by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills and are now among 278 being considered for more than £1 billion.

Council chief executive Steve Beynon said: "There is still a long way to go but we do take heart that our bids — which we believe will make a huge contribution to the Island’s economy — are still under consideration."

The council recently received a near £4 million government grant in support of its plans for a major green tourism and transport scheme.

Reporter: richardw@iwcpmail.co.uk

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by Kevin Barclay-Jay

21st August 2012, at 15:02:05

a four million pound grant for what?...the council has not promoted any tourism let alone green tourism and we have no green transport scheme..so thats another 4 million gone missing.

Notice the warning about scammers on the CP site...seems we have some looking to refill their coffers here.

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