CREA News February 2006

Foundation Stone

Bryan Gray, Chairman of the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), will be in Penrith on Monday 27 th February to lay the Foundation stone of the prestigious extension to Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency’s (CREA) premises at Redhills.

The 700 sq m development will provide enlarged training facilities, as well as meeting rooms and twelve business startup incubation units. These will each provide supported accommodation for 2/3 persons and will be targeted at knowledge-based businesses.

Bryan Gray, Chairman of the NWDA in agreeing to come to Redhills, said:

“I am pleased to attend this event to mark the start of work on this innovative development. CREA makes a valuable contribution to the development of the rural economy within the region and plays a vital role in encouraging new enterprises and supporting rural businesses. The extension of CREA’s premises will enable them to progress this important work and create new opportunities for people and businesses in Cumbria .”

Michael Bell, CREA’s Chairman, added that: “The development has experienced a number of setbacks which delayed the start on site but the work is now progressing well with anticipated occupation in the summer. The building will be very environmentally friendly, incorporating renewable technology including ground water heat exchange pumps for heating, photo voltaics to generate electricity, solar panelling to preheat water and wind catchers to passively ventilate the building”.