Harper Adams University is 'Silicon Valley' for farming
Students at Shropshire's new Millions of pounds generated for the local economy by Shropshire's Harper Adams University could help the area become the "Silicon Valley of the farming world", it has been claimed.
Lee Jakeman, clerk of Newport Town Council, made the prediction after councillors said the university was worth more than £40m a year to the local economy.
The council wants to strengthen its tie with the university at nearby Edgmond. Measures include supporting the university in grant bids, and its aspirations to have agriculture technology business units in Newport, which it is hoped could boost employment and wealth in the area.
The show of support has been welcomed by the university's vice chancellor David Llewellyn.
Councillors unanimously agreed to embrace and promote the town's university status at a meeting on Wednesday night. Mr Jakeman said: "Supporting the university, we could aspire to become the Silicon Valley of the farming world."
Councillor Phil Norton said: "I think this presents an opportunity for us as a town council to promote the interests of our residents by working with the university. For example, there is a potential of an up to £10 million grant available to universities to establish feeder businesses related to their researchers."
After the meeting, Mr Jakeman said: "Town council members were unanimous in their support for Harper Adams and wish to embrace its vision to have an agri-tech industry based within Newport. The university is an asset to the town and we acknowledge its economic value to the area is something in the region of £40 million."
Dr Llewellyn said: "We need to work closely on aspects of economic development to build on the contribution already made by the university as a major local employer.
"We would welcome further dialogue on how Newport could build upon its educational reputation to be fully recognised as a university town.
"We therefore welcome the council's commitment to the university and we look forward to discussions on how we can work together."
Harper Adams is in the running to be crowned the UK's university of the year but will have to beat some top institutions at the Times Higher Education Awards ceremony on November 27.
