Freeport East announces new £800k support programme to boost green jobs

Freeport East will be based between the ports of Felixstowe and Harwich, as well as a business park in Stowmarket

Artists' impression of the Gateway 14 business park in Stowmarket - which will form part of Freeport East
Author: Sian RochePublished 29th Jun 2023

Businesses in Suffolk are set to get a share of £800,000 - to help support jobs and innovation in green energy.

The cash is coming from Freeport East, which will be based between the ports of Felixstowe and Harwich, as well as a business park in Stowmarket.

The money will be split into two areas.

The Freeport East Clean Growth Fund is aimed at providing financial help to local businesses working in clean energy and Freeport East’s target sectors.

The Freeport East Innovation and Skills Fund will have a specific focus on communities that lack support and will enhance existing facilities and services provided by innovation centres, universities, colleges and local training centres and their connections to businesses.

The support will be targeted at sectors where Freeport East sees the opportunity to build economic clusters, such as in clean energy, green hydrogen, advanced logistics, digital and agritech.

Small and medium firms have a chance to apply for the cash, which can be used to recruit new staff or train existing ones.

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