The big picture: A total of more than £980,000 investment will be split between two funds:
The Freeport East Clean Growth Fund
Supports local businesses in clean energy and other target sectors. Recipients include companies working on railway engineering, vertical farming, green hydrogen storage, and AI for engine decarbonisation:
MKC Rail in Clacton: Railway engineering efficiency
Acer Resources in Colchester: Vertical farming
Rux Energy in Harwich: Green hydrogen storage
Automotion in Felixstowe: AI for diesel engine decarbonisation
Versatile RobotX in Colchester: Fruit-picking robots
Insight Energy Renewables near Ipswich: EV charging infrastructure
Revolve Labs in Stowmarket: VR healthcare training
University of Suffolk: Support programme for local innovators
The Freeport East Innovation and Skills Fund
Focuses on building access to innovation and skills opportunities. It supports education providers, logistics training, business support, and student mentoring programs.
This includes a consortium of further education providers led by Suffolk New College that will provide a range of specialist skills support across the Freeport East area. The support is designed to help learners of all ages pursue future opportunities in growth sectors.
Why it matters: This significant funding boost could create new jobs and drive innovation in key industries across the region, including Ipswich and surrounding areas.
What they're saying: Steve Beel, Chief Executive of Freeport East: "Investing in local businesses and growing our workforce is investing in the future of the East of England."
Ivan Henderson, Deputy Leader of Tendring District Council and Freeport East Board member: "This initiative will not only stimulate economic development but also create new opportunities for innovation and skills enhancement across the region."
The bottom line: This investment aims to position the East of England, including Ipswich, at the forefront of high-value sectors like clean energy, trade, agritech, and digital technologies.
