James is campaigning to ensure North West Norfolk benefits from the government's levelling up agenda including promoting investment in King's Lynn.
King's Lynn has been selected as one of 100 towns that will benefit from the £3.6 billion Towns Fund which will pay for projects that deliver ‘’economic productivity through urban regeneration, planning and land use, skills and enterprise infrastructure and connectivity’’. James is a member of the King's Lynn Towns Fund Board working with the Borough Council, businesses, the College of West Anglia, and other local partners to develop the Town Investment Plan which aims to secure up to £25 million investment to boost long term economic growth. This will build King's Lynn evidence base, engage with businesses and local communities, and develop and prioritise projects and potential investment.
As well as the Towns Fund, King's Lynn has submitted a strong bid to the Future High Streets Fund for £21.6 million. This includes a new community hub, town centre housing project, restoring St. George's Guildhall, and the South Gate gateway, If successful, the Future High Streets funding would align with the wider Town Investment Plan which is currently being developed and will outline a vision for King's Lynn's economic development over the coming years. This will potentially help the council to access a further £25 million of Town Deal funding that has been allocated by the Government. The Town Investment Plan will be the overarching strategy for the area with a focus on skills and enterprise, transport connectivity, promoting heritage, and urban regeneration. The next steps are to develop that Plan for submission in October 2020.
More details on the Town Investment Plan, Board, and the Future High Streets Fund bid can be found at https://www.visionkingslynn.co.uk/
