Speaking at the Bedford SME Breakfast Club, Professor Les Ebdon (pictured) said that the university already contributed hundreds of millions of pounds to the Bedfordshire economy and had helped thousands of businesses to expand.
It had launched the Business Growth Plan, a joint initiative with Bedfordshire County Council, and provided support services headed by the Knowledge Hub, the M1 Knowledge Exchange and the Centre for Women’s Enterprise, Mr Ebdon told the meeting at the Park Inn, Bedford.
He explained about the millions of pounds the university is investing in the region, the state-of the-art facilities being built and how the institution is creating a well-equipped workforce which responds to meet the needs of local employers, as well as creating jobs.
Mr Ebdon said: “The university is pleased to be playing a major part in the regeneration of the county by undergoing major expansion and development. By next year will have completed £45 million investment over the two campuses, with a further £25 million to come in the Luton campus, which could not have been achieved without building strong partnerships, which are the key to successful planning and regeneration.
“As well as the economic benefits to the county, the educational advantages of the new university are unprecedented, as we open up opportunities to those who want to study and achieve their life goals, in a supportive and inspiring environment.”
