A Felixstowe project is one of two from East Suffolk that have been awarded funding through the latest round of the Suffolk Inclusive Growth Investment Fund (SIGIF).

Funded by Suffolk's Public Sector Leaders as part of the Suffolk's Covid-19 Recovery Plan, SIGIF is now supporting 15 projects across the county, with additional contributions secured from New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership.

The fund's investment to date of £1.3 million is supporting projects with a total investment value of £4.2 million.

Thesuccessful projects to be funded by the latest round of SIGIF are:

@inc Felixstowe

The refurbishment of a redundant bank in Felixstowe to provide collaborative business space and support and a comprehensive programme of services for businesses in the town, their employees, and those looking for work. All of which will be developed in partnership with Menta.

East SuffolkTown Celebrations

The SIGIF contribution will enable an extension to Government's Welcome Back fund awarded to East Suffolk Council and will be used to deliver a series of targeted events tosupport the economic recovery of town centres and high streets within East Suffolk.

Cllr Craig Rivett, Deputy Leader and cabinet member for Economic Development at East Suffolk Council said: "East Suffolk Council is pleased to receive funding for two major projects that will benefit East Suffolk's economy and build economic resilience within our town centres through partnership working.

"The town celebrations project will provide a series of pilot events, markets and activity to welcome back and celebrate each town's distinctiveness, to raise pride in place as well as ultimately increasing footfall throughout the autumn and winter months within our town centres.

"We are also excited to hear that @inc Felixstowe will be developed in partnership with Menta to provide collaborative workspace and support to local businesses."

Initially established for one year, the Suffolk Inclusive Growth Investment Fund (SIGIF), totalling £1.65m with contributions from Suffolk's pooled business rates and New Anglia LEP has received a further boost of £750,000 from Suffolk's Public Sector Leaders to support projects in 2022.

And elsewhere in Suffolk, the Museum of East Anglian Life - funding to support a major regeneration of the museum and see it transition into a truly national asset as the Food Museum.

Funding will support facilities for the development of year-round events, new visitor experiences, and substantially improved facilities meeting the needs of currentand futurevisitors.

Cllr Suzie Morley, Chair of Suffolk Public Sector Leaders, said:"SIGIF is making a big difference as part of our recovery, boosting economic resilience, and adding more value through unlocking investment, partnership building and shared learning.

Suffolk Public Sector Leaders are investing in programmes to support innovation, support skills and workforce development, and of course responding creatively to the challenges faced across our High Streets.

"The support for a further three excellent projects is very welcome, as is the confirmation of the SIGIF fund extending through 2022."

The fund is open to projects which address the significant impact of Covid-19 on Suffolk's businesses, employees, and our local economy. Projects must be sponsored by either a Suffolk local authority and / or the New Anglia LEP.