The East Midlands is positioning itself for significant economic growth with a £4bn Government investment designed to support business expansion, job creation, and infrastructure development. The investment will focus on a series of key projects across the region, including the Hartington-Staveley site in Chesterfield, Infinity Park in Derby, and The Explore Park in Worksop, all of which aim to attract businesses and provide new opportunities for local economies.
This funding, managed by the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), is guided by the newly formed Inclusive Growth Commission. The commission, led by the Royal Society of Arts, is tasked with ensuring the region’s development benefits a broad spectrum of its population. The commission’s recommendations, due for publication in September, will inform the EMCCA’s Local Growth Plan, which outlines how the region will contribute to national economic objectives.
The strategy also includes developing transport corridors, such as the Derby-Nottingham Trent Arc, and sustainable tourism, stretching from the Peak District to Sherwood Forest. These projects aim to create 100,000 jobs, build 52,000 homes, and boost the region’s economy by £4.6bn.
Local leaders, including Mayor Claire Ward, have emphasised the importance of inclusive growth, ensuring that people across the region, including those in rural and deprived areas, have access to well-paid, secure jobs. Public transport improvements, with the eventual transfer of responsibilities from local councils to EMCCA, are a central part of this vision.
The Mayor’s approach focuses on fostering a healthy, active population capable of seizing the opportunities generated by these investments. A key part of this strategy is collaborating with health organisations to address public health challenges, including mental health and economic inactivity, to ensure that more people can participate in the growing economy.
