Our Good Growth
Approach

Find out how we plan to make our economy more equal, more resilient and more prosperous.

Our Good Growth Investment Plan

With world-class green industry capabilities and a vision to make Cornwall and Isles of Scilly carbon neutral by 2030, we’ve got the drive. And with our portion of the UK’s Shared Prosperity Fund, we’ve got the means. So here’s how we plan to achieve good growth.

 

As leaders of the UK’s green industrial revolution, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly are rich in natural and human capital thanks to our unique renewable energy resources, mineral deposits, and space and data capabilities.

Through our role in the G7 Summit, bid to become UK City of Culture and as one of the first local authorities to declare a climate emergency, we’ve already started to evolve the narrative around our extraordinary region. Our ambition is to make CIoS carbon-neutral by 2030, and be a region that delivers opportunities for its communities and businesses. 

But despite being a key player in the UK’s sustainable economic future, Cornwall’s location and the remoteness of the Isles of Scilly still pose challenges that impact on quality of life as well as skills, development and career progression.

With a total of £186m of the UK’s Shared Prosperity Fund to spend locally, we have a huge opportunity from April 2022 to March 2026 to bring about ‘Good Growth’ and make our economy more equal, more resilient and more prosperous.

Download our Good Growth Investment Plan

LEVELLING UP LOCAL LIFE

Our approach has ensured that funding has reached all corners of Cornwall and Isles of Scilly. The diversity of projects underscores the strategic approach taken by the Good Growth programme, envisioning a future that is both dynamic and sustainable.

From modest, community-driven initiatives enhancing streets, villages, and towns to substantial investments in culture, heritage, and emerging sectors like tech metal mining and offshore renewable energy, the benefits are already tangible for communities, residents, and businesses.

Key to the success of each project has been the commitment to the Good Growth principles. These guidelines emphasise clean and inclusive economic growth across all our investments. Whether it’s cutting carbon dioxide emissions, upskilling the workforce, ensuring fair wages, or fostering environmental growth, these principles represent a comprehensive vision for the prosperity of our region.


Discover our projects



OUR GOOD GROWTH investment priorities

One:
Community and place

Urban or rural. Towns, villages or islands. Our communities and places matter. We’re investing in the development of resilient, inclusive, and sustainable communities across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly through targeted support for infrastructure, cultural initiatives, and digital connectivity.





Our Planned Activities

Community and connection

We’re investing in regeneration of town centres and empowering local leaders to uplevel their areas, realise community aspirations and strengthen pride of place. And through digital connectivity and shared transport initiatives, we’re bringing people closer together.

 

Local talent, year-round opportunities

Through cultural events and talent development programmes, we’re creating more sustainable, year-round jobs. And through digital and immersive collaborations, we’re accelerating the growth of our CreaTech sector to ignite opportunities that inspire.

 

Stepping up with skills hubs

By establishing community-led skills hubs and greening our communities to help us tread lighter and keep living costs down, everyone can experience sustainable shifts and new employment for a longer, healthier life.



Our Ambitions

Increase wages across all sectors with a targeted % of workforce earning the Real Living Wage or above
Level up our towns and neighbourhoods throughout CIoS

Greater levels of workforce participation
Increase the capacity and place-leadership in every community
Make sure everyone lives a longer, healthier life


Discover our Community and Place projects

Two:
Support for Local Businesses

To help unlock economic prosperity across sectors our Good Growth model is improving local opportunities by investing in infrastructure, industry and training. We’re supporting a diverse range of businesses, from start ups to established businesses and everything in between.





Our Planned Activities

Boosting businesses for tomorrow

To strengthen our economic future, increase trade and investment, and inspire green and socially responsible enterprise, we’re delivering business and strategic support, as well as mentoring in research, development and innovation so companies across CIoS are supported to excel.

 

Creating space for small businesses to soar

Through town, rural, coastal and retail development programmes, we’re investing in improvements to local infrastructure so small businesses can thrive year-round.

 

Helping us all be more green

We’re prioritising decarbonisation by providing support and grants to enable businesses to reduce emissions. This includes installing renewable energy generation, improving processes and buildings to reduce carbon emissions and transitioning to ultra-low emissions transportation. 

 



Our Ambitions

Improve productivity of businesses
Increase export and inward investment
Increase per capita spend on research, development and investment

Reduce CO2 emissions
Nature recovery

Increase jobs in high value sectors
Increase skill levels in the workforce


Discover our Supporting Local Business projects

Three:
People And Skills

Our Good Growth ambitions are to elevate the economy and give everyone the opportunity to access quality jobs while building a sustainable future for all.

To bring these ambitions to life we know we need to significantly shift our skills system. Not only will this improve productivity and grow the economy, it will give people the career and salary progression opportunities they should be able to access. It will also help Cornwall and Isles of Scilly meet the challenges and opportunities that have emerged through industry automation, changing workplace practices and demand for skills in new sectors.





Our Planned Activities

Creating opportunities to upskill

We’ve invested in a one-stop hub where people can get help with employment, training and qualifications. We’re also supporting green and digital skills programmes so individuals can gain the knowledge they need to boost employability.

 

Helping young people level up

Providing support in key areas like mental health, employability, financial wellbeing and housing support, we’re helping people aged 16-24 take positive steps to elevate.

 

Making numeracy accessible to all

Our partners are delivering courses to increase confidence with numbers and money management, while supporting workers, parents, caregivers and vulnerable people with numeracy skills.



Our Ambitions

Increase skill levels in our local workforce

Improve connectivity to work, training and skills

Increase levels of functional numeracy and literacy in the
adult population


Discover our People and Skills projects

FIND OUT HOW WE CAN LEVEL UP

Good Growth Approach

THE ECONOMIC PROSPERITY BOARD

Guided by our Good Growth Investment Plan, we’re delivering the UK Shared Prosperity Fund as a Joint Committee between Cornwall Council and the Isles of Scilly Council.


Find out more

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