Investment in academy expansion agreed
Posted on Wednesday 30th August 2017
Newport City Council is to provide funding from a regeneration pot towards the expansion of the prestigious National Software Academy (NSA).
It has been agreed that a grant of £575,000 will be given to the NSA, part of Cardiff University, from a joint regeneration pot managed by the council and Welsh Government.
The Academy will start moving into the Information Station next year after it was also decided that the council would sublet three floors to the university in a phased project.
Councillor Debbie Wilcox, Leader of Newport City Council, said: "Cardiff University approached the council because the National Software Academy was outgrowing its home near the railway station.
"It is our ambition to make Newport a vibrant technology hub so it was vital that we keep the academy in the city to help us achieve that ambition. It attracts inward investment by producing high quality graduates and over the last year more than 120 companies have engaged with the NSA.
"We are able to offer them space in the Information Station while still maintaining a "one-stop shop" for council services so I'm delighted we have been able to reach an agreement to share this landmark building.
Councillor Jane Mudd, Newport City Council's Cabinet Member for regeneration and housing, said: "We have been able to secure the long-term future of the NSA in Newport rather than it having to relocate elsewhere.
"The grant will come from joint venture funding accrued by the council and Welsh Government which we have agreed will be used for economic regeneration projects that will benefit the city in a multiple of ways.
"Over the next 10 years, the university plans to invest about £2 million per year in Newport. This will create new jobs; increase the number of graduates and support up to 20 business projects every year. The NSA's presence is crucial to our aspirations for the city."