The East Midlands Combined County Authority has approved £4.8 million in baseline funding to launch two programmes designed to raise the region’s economic profile over the next two years. The investment sits within the wider East Midlands Growth Plan, which outlines a £13 billion ambition for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
Two new region-wide initiatives — Visit East Midlands and Invest East Midlands — will be established to build a clearer regional identity, attract more visitors, and support new business activity. Visit East Midlands will promote the area’s tourism offer, help develop new attractions, and coordinate campaigns to increase domestic and international visitor numbers.
Invest East Midlands will work with local partners to secure new investment and support business expansion. The programme follows a review that identified fragmented economic development activity across the region and highlighted the need for a more unified approach as the UK Shared Prosperity Fund comes to an end.
Mayor Claire Ward said: “I will continue fighting for more investment to come into this region so we can deliver real change. This new approach will ensure the East Midlands gets the attention, recognition and money it needs to help me do that.”
Alongside these initiatives, an East Midlands Growth Hub will be created to provide business support, linking firms with university expertise and private-sector networks. The hub will help strengthen the region’s economic foundation by offering practical advice to both new and established businesses.
David Williams, Chair of EMCCA’s Business Advisory Board, said: “I welcome the Mayor’s decisive action to use EMCCA funds to invest in the future of the East Midlands. In a time where funding is challenging, this commitment will enable us to strengthen our regional economy, enhance our visitor offer and create the conditions for sustainable business growth, driving prosperity for communities and businesses alike, strengthening the positioning of the East Midlands as a leading destination for investment and tourism.”
Detailed delivery plans for each programme will be developed in collaboration with councils, universities, business groups, and regional partners.
