The Solent Freeport project has been officially given the go-ahead by the government.
That means ￡25m straight away to get the initiative going, with estimates that ￡1.75billion could be invested in the local economy by businesses keen to take advantage of tax breaks and lighter regulation.
Levelling up minister Dehenna Davison visited Southampton and Marchwood on the day of the announcement, pledging that the benefits would be felt "very quickly".
Whatever your view of the freeport idea, I was struck by the cross-party welcome the announcement received. New Forest District Council's Conservative leadership is keen to combine sustainability with jobs, and Labour's council leader welcomed any investment in the city, having seen so much go to the north of England.
- There was a big announcement at Bournemouth Airport, with Ryanair DEC chief executive Eddie Wilson flying in to reveal plans to base a second aircraft at the site and add three new summer destinations. The airline will be running 30 per cent more flights from Bournemouth next year than in 2022.
- The Dorset Green Skills Hub is a project to equip people with the knowledge that will be increasingly in demand, with two of the county's colleges getting ￡800,000 each to start providing training.
- A Bournemouth marketing agency which has spent 20 years building its good name has seen its identity copied by scammers offering job opportunities in return for money.
- The Dorset Business Awards are to return after a three-year break as part of a celebration of business.
- The number of businesses not paying their invoices on time has risen.
- The landlords of a Winchester pub say they have been forced to close it because of the cost of living crisis. (Story by Harvey Lindsay.)
- A campaign that sought to end an experiment that involves forcing mice and rats to swim in a jar was among those benefiting from a ￡250,000 prize scheme run by Poole's cosmetics maker Lush.
- A hotel in Dorchester was named among the 100 best in the UK. (Report by Kieran Bell.)
- The charities that run Poole's Lighthouse and Bournemouth's BIC, Pavilion and leisure centres both announced new chairs.
- A business adviser shared his thoughts on how firms can get through the recession.
- G&Ts World of Cards is closing its branch in Poole town centre. (Story by Alexander Smith.)
- And a robotic vehicle built in Hampshire has spent five years in one of the most radioactive environments in the world.
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