10/11/2004 - Cumbria County Council backs West Cumbria Development Fund

Cumbria County Council cabinet today agreed to provide £62,000 for the West Cumbria Development Fund.

West Coast Development Fund (WCDF) is a partnership between the county council, British Nuclear Fuels Ltd and Allerdale and Copeland district councils.

It is dedicated to supporting the economic development of West Cumbria.

The WCDF underwrites the operating costs of the West Cumbria Development Agency Ltd which provides business advice and helps businesses access funding for growth and expansion.

It also offers loans for business start-ups and expansion in the west of the county and invests in long-term economic improvement projects in the area such as Westlakes Properties, the Lillyhall Partnership and Maryport Developments Ltd.

Lawson Short, cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: "Our backing for the WCDF demonstrates our continued commitment to the economic regeneration of the West coast and it will show that everyone is working together to get the best deal for the county in the forthcoming negotiations on the decommissioning of the Sellafield nuclear plant."