Freeport East launches event to support businesses with the growing green sector

The Harwich Clean Energy and Maritime Innovation Cluster - aimed at providing support and networking for small and medium-sized businesses - is being spearheaded by Freeport East, Essex University and Tendring Council. Freeport East[1] is one of eight new Freeports in England which aim to use targeted tax benefits to boost trade and inward investment. Freeport East says it will create 13,500 new jobs and generate GBP5.5billion for the economy over 10 years.

On Wednesday, the innovation cluster was launched at Harwich's Waterfront[2], with speakers from Harwich Haven Authority, EastWind and Offshore Renewables Energy Catapult (ORE Catapult). They heard EastWind is "giving a single voice" to operators of offshore wind farms in the region to work with supply chains and colleges. Firms heard how ORE Catapult is providing incentives for the offshore renewable energy sector by removing supply chain risks and Clacton-based Dura Composites also provided an update on their future growth plans.

Forum - The second business forum took place this Wednesday (Image: Freeport East) Lexi Brackpool, project manager at EastWind, said: "Now is an incredibly exciting time in the offshore wind industry with significant growth in coming years, and the East of England is set to play a major role. "Harwich, with its offshore wind and maritime heritage is an important hub for ensuring the benefits of offshore wind can deliver real local economic opportunities for people in Tendring and Essex. "This event, and our evolving partnership with Freeport East, has been a great opportunity to increase visibility and awareness for businesses in the local area."

Deputy Tendring Council leader Ivan Henderson said: "Ensuring that Harwich is well-positioned to benefit from future economic opportunities in the maritime, clean energy and related sectors is critically important to accompany the wider infrastructure investments we're making in Harwich and Dovercourt High Street.

"Bringing businesses together in this way is a key part of that, and I'm grateful for the support of partners at Freeport East, EastWind, the University of Essex and others for collaborating with Tendring District Council on this important initiative."

To find out more visit www.freeporteast.com[3].

References

1. ^ Freeport East (www.harwichandmanningtreestandard.co.uk)
2. ^ the innovation cluster was launched at Harwich's Waterfront (www.harwichandmanningtreestandard.co.uk)
3. ^ www.freeporteast.com (www.freeporteast.com)