Good Growth Programme Reaches 900 Investments Across Cornwall and Scilly

An award winning £186 million programme supporting growth across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is on track to deliver wide ranging benefits for businesses, communities and residents.

The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme has now made more than 900 investments since launching in 2022, with forecasts showing it will create over 1,700 jobs, support more than 7,600 businesses and deliver over 30,000 training opportunities.

The four year programme is funded by the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is managed by Cornwall Council.

Jobs, skills and environmental impact

By the end of the programme in March 2031, Good Growth expects to have secured £83 million in additional public and private funding to match its investment.

Forecast outcomes include 1,765 new jobs created, 714 jobs safeguarded and financial support provided to 1,190 businesses. A further 6,484 businesses and organisations are expected to receive guidance, support or training, covering areas such as financial management, growth planning and reducing environmental impact.

More than 30,000 skills and training opportunities are planned for local residents. Almost 8,000 people are expected to gain a qualification or complete a course by the end of March next year, including over 500 people taking part in green skills training and nearly 1,500 residents accessing retraining opportunities.

Environmental benefits are also significant. The programme expects to save over 283,511 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to powering around 593,000 average UK homes. Around 415,878 square metres of natural space, roughly the size of 60 football pitches, will have been created or improved.

National recognition and fair pay

The programme has received national recognition, including being named Most Innovative Project of the Year at the Institute of Economic Development Awards.

In July, it was also recognised by the Living Wage Foundation for its commitment to fair pay. Grant applicants are required to commit to paying the Real Living Wage, an approach that earned the programme the Local Champions award alongside Truro Foodbank.

Tim Dwelly, Cornwall Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Investment, said:
“Our award-winning Good Growth programme has proved that when public investment is aimed at the right places and decisions are made locally, it can really boost our economy, our communities and our environment.

“We want to build on that track record and look forward to working with Government on a devolved local growth agenda that invests in businesses in Cornwall that are delivering against national growth priorities.”

Community and place transformation

One of the flagship community projects is Helston Gateway in West Cornwall. A former 1980s supermarket building, derelict since 2017, has been transformed into a community asset.

The redeveloped building now includes a GP practice and health centre with five GPs on the top floor. The lower floor has been converted into a youth facility with a multi use performance and event space, recording studio and creative space. A café and a bouldering centre with app controlled climbing facilities are also part of the site.

The project was delivered by South Kerrier Alliance CIC and secured almost £3 million from the Good Growth Programme, alongside £500,000 from Cornwall Council’s Town Centre Revitalisation Fund.

Supporting Cornwall’s businesses

The programme has also backed large scale commercial projects. At Pool, the South Crofty tin mining site has received £4.19 million from Good Growth, helping owner Cornish Metals secure £57.4 million in funding overall. This includes £28.6 million from the government’s National Wealth Fund.

South Crofty was Cornwall’s last working tin mine before closing in 1998 after more than 400 years. Cornish Metals aims to reopen the mine, potentially creating up to 320 permanent high skilled jobs and around 1,000 indirect jobs. Overall, more than £10 million has now been committed through Good Growth to support Cornwall’s critical minerals infrastructure.

Good Growth investment is also supporting product development and job creation. At Grampound Road near Truro, St Ewe Free Range Eggs is building a liquid egg processing facility with £3.45 million of support. The project is expected to create 15 skilled jobs, boost demand for free range eggs, improve food safety and reduce waste, with eggshell byproducts planned for use as a soil enhancer in Cornwall’s agri food sector.

Smaller businesses have also benefited. Newquay based Ulu OX received a grant to grow its circular economy business, transforming ocean bound plastic waste into safety products for use at sea. The business has processed one tonne of plastic into yarn, producing 20 rolls of material for waterproof dry bags while tackling marine pollution.

Green and blue spaces across Cornwall

Investment has helped create or improve parks, woods, play areas and waterways across Cornwall.

Projects include support for Cornwall Heritage Trust to strengthen heritage sites, while Cornwall Wildlife Trust has improved flood resilience in the Par catchment by creating landscapes that can hold more water. Cornwall Council’s Urban Green Shoots programme has also used funding to increase biodiversity in public open spaces across the county.

The Good Growth Programme continues to run until 2026, with long term impacts expected to be felt across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly for years to come.