WITH the Government announcing this week that it has at last agreed to the match funding required by Europe, to put in motion the final rubber stamping of Cornwall's multi million pound Objective One programme, the floodgates are at last opening to allow in the money required which will boost the county's flagging economy.
Schemes proposed for South East Cornwall are already mounting to at least £80 million, with half of this sum being made up from Caradon Council who have 42 schemes in the capital programme.
Economic Development Manager Steve Vinson says the largest two schemes are at Liskeard and Saltash, where £2.1m and £2.4m respectively are being asked for the servicing of land to provide the infrastructure necessary for light industry. This in turn will create employment.
All five towns in Caradon have regeneration strategies in place, but Mr Vinson says there are also 80 villages in the district, and so far there are projects being looked at for Millbrook, Rame, Calstock,Tregantle, Seaton, Downderry and Kingsand.
In addition to the Caradon projects, there are also plans for a £17m scheme at Broadmoor Farm, and the Rural Development Agency is involved in developments at Heathlands Business Park, Liskeard and at Pensilva, amounting to £0.5m each. There are also five private sector bids.
By far one of the most ambitious projects, probably for the whole of Cornwall, would be the construction of an outer harbour at Looe, with a price tag of £40million plus.
The Harbour Commissioners have taken on board a consultant to look at the potential funding package, an exact location, and environmental factors.
Under Objective One Cornwall is set to receive European aid worth £321.2m, which when matched by the government and with private sector investment is set to reach at least £1 billion.