A NEW scheme has been launched this week that aims to drive Lancashire's post-pandemic recovery with investment in the latest low carbon technologies.
RedCAT, the Lancashire Centre for Alternative Technologies, will aim to fund new green tech developments across the county’s automotive and aerospace industries and to support sectors and jobs under stress as a result of the pandemic.
The scheme will be based at East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce’s offices in Clayton-le-Moors, Hyndburn, which was host to a launch event on Thursday attended by Hyndburn MP Sara Britcliffe, Lancashire LEP director Annette Weekes and Chamber chief executive Miranda Barker, who will now act as chair of RedCAT.
Ms Barker said: “We will be working in partnership with Lancashire’s new low carbon innovators and our established advanced manufacturers seeking to diversify into low carbon component manufacture, driving the development and funding of new green technology products.
“RedCAT’s mission is to ensure support for the manufacture and adoption of low carbon tech across Lancashire to drive economic green recovery and resilience.
"We’re looking to create manufacturing opportunities and jobs in Lancashire and to see low carbon innovation from the county exported overseas as part of the move towards a global net zero carbon future.”
Thursday's launch event in Clayton-le-Moors
The scheme has also secured the backing of housing secretary Robert Jenrick MP along with £1.5 million funding from the government's getting building fund.
Mr Jenrick said: “The getting building fund at its heart is about creating new economic opportunities post pandemic, and RedCAT, Lancashire’s Centre for Alternative Technologies, being launched here in Accrington today, will do exactly that.
"By helping to fund and grow the county’s low carbon technologies jobs and expertise, supporting advanced manufacturing and the export of UK designed and built low carbon technology to the world.
"This is exactly what we mean when we look at levelling up, putting Hyndburn and the county at the heart of innovation and development.”
RedCAT's ultimate vision is to see innovative low carbon products manufactured in Lancashire and exported across the globe to developing communities.
As well as the government funding, the investment will also come from a mix of public, private and venture capital and equity sources while the centre hopes to eventually operate on a national scale.
To find out more, contact Miranda Barker at: m.barker@red-cat.uk.
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