Cornwall Marine Network (CMN) is celebrating passing an employment milestone.

As its £1.86 million Cornwall Marine Capital Fund programme nears completion, the not-for-profit Cornish marine tra de organisation says it has supported 3,000 people into employment since 2005.

Chief executive, Paul Wickes, said: “Since 2005 our specialist business support team has attracted more than £19 million of investment into Cornwall and as a direct result we’re very proud and delighted to announce that we have assisted 3,000 people into employment through our activities and job creation programmes.

“The added value to Cornwall’s economy that results from the 3,000 people gaining jobs has added more than £200 million of value to the local economy in 11 years and this figure grows by more than £30 million every year CMN exists.”

CMN secured its first investment in 2005 and recruited a team of four employees to support marine businesses with their marketing activity. Since then the team has grown to 28 specialist staff who provide a wide range of activities to support 351 local marine businesses.

The Cornwall Marine Capital Fund is an example of a CMN project that has led to new job creation.

The investment from the Regional Growth Fund has provided financial support for investing in the Cornish marine sector. The recent purchase of Falmouth Wharves by marine contractor Keynvor Morlift was made possible by the Cornwall Marine Capital Fund and will create 39 new jobs.

Other investments have included new machinery, lifting equipment, and improvements to slipways and buildings and the investments have drawn in a further £5.3 million of private marine sector investment.