'IF you want to make things, then come to Tees Valley,' that was the message from regional growth chiefs, as they hailed the thousands of jobs and £700m of investment that has boosted the region in the last 12 months.

The Tees Valley Unlimited (TVU) annual report published yesterday

highlighted how the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) had helped to bring jobs and investment to the area.

Northern Powerhouse Minister James Wharton, said: "Tees Valley LEP has played its part in securing those positive trends. We should be proud of our progress, but never complacent about our future."

Sandy Anderson, TVU Chairman, said working in partnership with organisations and businesses across the region had reaped rewards, but he said matching skills to the needs of growing firms was a major challenge.

Mr Anderson looked forward to the region playing a key part in the government's plan to galvanise the north, which includes the formation of combined local authorities and the installation of regional and city mayors.

Greater Manchester has seized the opportunity to wrest control from Whitehall, and much of the initial discussions around what the Northern Powerhouse idea can deliver has been focussed on the North-West. But Mr Anderson said recent achievements showed Tees Valley was ready to play a leading role in the plan.

He added: "If you are going to build a new chemical process plant you aren't going to do it in the centre of Manchester. We have a reputation for making things here, and we are building on our reputation for manufacturing and engineering to broaden the range of sectors where we operate and bring in more, high quality jobs."

Mr Anderson cited the soon-to-open National Biologics Centre in Darlington, and the burgeoning Carbon Capture and Storage sector as areas where Tees Valley was a centre for innovate, forward-thinking industries.

Alison Thain, North East Chair of the CBI, said: “The annual report is testament to how, by collaborating with a range of organisations, Tees Valley is driving growth, attracting new companies, generating employment, improving the area’s infrastructure for the good of business and helping improve the skills of existing and future generations of workers.”

Mike Matthews, President of the North East Chamber of Commerce, said: “TVU has a strong track record of working in partnership with both the private and public sectors, which is what business wants to see. Its achievements during the last year stand the area in good stead as more powers are moved away from London to the regions.”

Graham Robb, North East Chairman of the Institute of Directors, said: “TVU was one of the first LEPs to be established, and this annual report demonstrates how it is maintaining its momentum and making a tangible, positive impact on the area’s economy.

“Its achievements prove it has the ability to embrace and capitalise on the opportunities that will emerge as the Government pushes its devolution agenda forward.”

The Annual Report:

• 3,836 jobs were secured

• More than £700m private sector investment was attracted to the area.

• There was £702m supported investment.

• The Tees Valley Jobs and Skills Investment Scheme assisted more than 300 companies leading to the creation of 755 jobs.

• Construction was started on the £38m National Biologics Manufacturing Centre in Darlington.

• The £9.5m Material Processing Institute in Middlesbrough, which it is estimated will provide £191m increased GVA to the Tees Valley economy during the next 20 years, was established.

• The Business Compass Growth Hub was launched.

Teesside Collective helped the area take a global lead on Industrial Carbon Capture and Storage.

• There was a £189m growth in GVA.

The annual report will be available at the Tees Valley Business Summit on July 8 in the Olympia Building at Teesside University.