The approved contractor for a £1.16 million project to boost Somerset’s economy and help new businesses to thrive in rural areas has been announced by Somerset County Council.

South West Highways Ltd has been awarded the contract to build Highbridge Enterprise Centre, a centre of excellence for new business start-ups in the County.

Work on the Enterprise Centre is due to begin at the site in early 2014 and is likely to be completed towards the end of the year.

New businesses will be offered affordable premises, thousands of square feet of industrial unit space and state of the art offices to operate from. New business ‘incubation units’ will provide entrepreneurs with the support they need to get their business ideas up and running.

Deputy Leader of Somerset County Council, Cllr David Hall said: “I’m delighted to announce that South West Highways will be starting work on Highbridge Enterprise Centre in early 2014.

“This development will give the area an economic boost by providing new businesses with the help and support they need to get their businesses off the ground. We are promoting Somerset as an ideal place to conduct business and we are actively encouraging investment into Somerset where we have fantastic opportunities and a highly skilled work force.”

Cllr Hall went onto say: “There is a real buzz around the county with the recent Hinkley C announcement, the ongoing implementation of superfast broadband and now this superb new facility; it’s a very exciting time for business in Somerset.”

Chris Garcia, Chief Executive of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “We are really pleased that this project is getting underway – it is set to make a real difference to businesses across Somerset.  The Rural Growth Network is designed to realise the potential of enterprises and encourage the growth of new rural businesses.”

The project has been part funded through the Rural Growth Network (RGN), which is an initiative designed to encourage economic growth and enterprise in rural areas. The Heart of the South West (HotSW) Local Enterprise Partnership are working in conjunction with Devon and Somerset County Councils on behalf of the RGN.