Over £1bn of investment opportunities in Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland will be showcased by a collaborative inward investment team at national investor forum UKREiiF.
Representatives from Lincolnshire County Council (LCC), Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (GLLEP) and Team Lincolnshire — a public and private sector group of Lincolnshire ambassadors — are attending the event in Leeds next week (16th to 18th May).
In its second year, UKREiiF is set to attract more than 6,000 delegates from the property industry, with more than 250 UK local authorities in attendance over the three-day event.
The Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland inward investment team has ambitious plans for the region and will be sharing investment prospects across its 10-strong sector proposition, including advanced engineering and manufacturing, visitor economy, defence, health and life sciences, digital tech, commercial and residential development, and a particular focus on agri-food, low carbon energy and logistics.
Investment opportunities across the region include the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone, Humber Freeport, hotel sites ready for development, land earmarked for housing, multiple business centres and commercial space and more.
Andy Gutherson, Executive Director of Place at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “We saw great value from our attendance at UKREiiF last year and with the event set to be even bigger this year, we need to seize the opportunity to champion our region on a national stage once again.
“We are focussed on targeting investors, developers and organisations that can help drive forward our key sectors and our work at the event will contribute towards growing our Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland economy and to create new jobs.”
The lifestyle in Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland will also play a key part in the team’s promotion of the region as a place to live, learn, work and invest.
Tony Reynolds, Inward Investment Manager at Lincolnshire County Council, added: “UKREiiF is a fantastic platform for LCC, GLLEP, Team Lincolnshire and our local district councils to speak directly to investors about the unique opportunities we have to offer. Conversations had and connections made at these events are incredibly valuable and make a positive and far-reaching impact on our local economy.
“Collaboratively, and as part of Midlands Engine, we will be flying the flag for the region as the place to live, learn, work and invest in and with a busy diary of meets, I’m looking forward to what the team and I can cultivate for Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland.”
Lincolnshire excels in food processing and agri-tech and was chosen as one of the Government’s manufacturing zones. This followed growth deal grants of £18m, including £5.1m for South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone and £2.4 for University of Lincoln’s Centre of Excellence in Agri-food and Technology at Holbeach.
Simon Wright, Regeneration and Portfolio Manager at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland is a place of space and ambition and we’re looking forward to presenting a number of transformational opportunities to investors at UKREiiF, including our South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone.
“This state-of-the-art facility in the heart of the UK Food Valley provides work space, connections and support for SMEs in the food manufacturing and agri-food tech sectors, to enable growth, innovation and collaboration. This scheme alone provides multiple impressive real estate opportunities for investors.”
During UKREiiF, Team Lincolnshire, Knights and Lindum will be co-hosting a reception for ambassadors and guests on 17th May, with over 100 attendees expected. Those interested in attending can email teamlincolnshire@lincolnshire.gov.uk
Header image of Lincolnshire, credit Chris Vaughan.