Darlington has secured £16 million from the Government's Growth Mission Fund, announced in the Budget, completing the investment package needed to deliver a new Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) learning centre at the town's science park.

The Pride in Place programme is also contributing to the project to create routes into quality local employment. The independent Neighbourhood Board overseeing Pride in Place has agreed to focus funding on Skerne Park, Red Hall, Bank Top, Northgate and Branksome, tackling long-standing inequalities through improvements to community facilities. Local residents will be encouraged to help decide priorities and take part in managing any new provision.

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The five areas were selected following an analysis of greatest need.

"This project will be a game-changer for Darlington. It will help us deliver real improvements in our communities, supporting the priorities in our Council Plan and ensuring these neighbourhoods are great places to live, work and thrive. I look forward to sharing more details about Pride in Place as it develops," said Cllr Stephen Harker, Leader of Darlington Borough Council.

David Gartland, CEO and Principal of Darlington College and chair of the Neighbourhood Board, said: "We've made an incredibly good start. The Board's commitment to the STEM Centre has leveraged additional funding three times its original contribution, which would not have been possible without that investment."

He added: "The commitment that the Board made to the STEM Centre has attracted additional funding three times the amount of our contribution which simply wouldn’t have happened without our funding. This and the work we are doing in communities will leave a fantastic lasting benefit to Darlington."