Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex councils partner with US city for mutual business growth
It's hoped the partnership will boost transatlantic trade and cooperation
The counties of Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex are partnering with the US city of Virginia Beach in a bid to boost transatlantic trade and cooperation.
The three County Council leaders, Norfolk’s Kay Mason Billig, Suffolk’s Matthew Hicks, and Essex’s Kevin Bentley signed a 'Memorandum of Understanding' (MOU) on Tuesday 12 November at the US Embassy in London
Signing for Virginia Beach, which is the largest city in Virginia, was the City’s Deputy City Manager, Amanda Jarratt.
“There is a huge amount of common ground between East Anglia and Virginia Beach,” said Amanda.
“Our city is one of the main hubs for the US offshore wind industry, as well as technology sectors like software and cybersecurity – and companies from East Anglia are already doing well there”.
"There are obvious areas where Virginia Beach and Norfolk can mutually benefit"
Kay Mason Billig, Leader of Norfolk County Council, said: “Offshore wind has a significant role to play in our future prosperity with the huge windfarms being developed off our coast and the Operations & Maintenance Campus in Great Yarmouth, and we also have a burgeoning technology sector, so there are obvious areas where Virginia Beach and Norfolk can mutually benefit from this agreement.”
Cllr Matthew Hicks, Leader of Suffolk County Council, said: “The success of companies like Chorus Intelligence in the US market shows what is possible through international collaboration.
"With Suffolk’s delivery in clean energy, advanced manufacturing and tech innovation, supported by hubs like OrbisEnergy and Innovation Martlesham, we look forward to working with Virginia Beach to share knowledge and drive growth in both regions.”
"We look forward to the benefits it will bring"
Councillor Kevin Bentley, Leader of Essex County Council, said: “The technology and renewables sectors are hugely significant to the Essex economy, and will become even more so in the future.
"Signing this agreement with Virginia Beach alongside our close partners at Suffolk and Norfolk county councils is extremely exciting and we look forward to the benefits it will bring to economies on both sides of the Atlantic.”
One of the companies present at the event was Suffolk-based IT firm Chorus Intelligence, whose Chief Executive Neil Chivers said: “We set up our US operation in Virginia Beach in 2021 and it couldn’t have gone better”.
The partnership will extend across business, research, academia and training, and will supersede a 2021 MOU between the now defunct New Anglia LEP and the US city, which included a joint presence at conferences and trade shows, business webinars, and advice on offshore wind training from East Coast College in Lowestoft.
Several offshore wind farms are under construction along the US East Coast, including the largest, Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind off Virginia Beach.
This attracted the UK subsidiary of Cadelar, formerly Seajacks based in Great Yarmouth, which provides jack-up vessels for its construction, to also establish a US presence there.
Several initiatives are under discussion for 2025 and beyond, including assistance for US investors and exporters interested in East Anglia.