A transformational skills and innovation centre, backed by £16.66m in funding from Freeport East, is now open in Stowmarket.
The new gateway to growth for businesses in Suffolk and across the region was celebrated at a launch event attended by more than 100 local businesses and organisations.
Mid Suffolk District Council’s Stowmarket Innovation Gateway offers office spaces for high growth start-ups, collaboration and innovation areas, meeting rooms, a café and high-quality training spaces.
The Gateway is key to Freeport East’s ambition to ensure investment benefits are shared beyond its principal port and development sites.By connecting local firms, education providers and innovation specialists, the centre will help businesses across the region take advantage of opportunities in clean growth, digital technology and artificial intelligence.
A rolling programme of professional development courses – spanning AI, digital, leadership and creative disciplines – is delivered on-site by West Suffolk College, Suffolk New College and the University of Suffolk and aim to address the skills gap in the region.
The workshops and courses are open to all adults, with local employers receiving direct access to higher-level training that used to mean travelling outside the district.
Cllr Richard Winch, Mid Suffolk District Council, said: “The Stowmarket Innovation Gateway was designed with growing sectors such as the green economy and digital/AI technology at the heart.
“Its mission is to help ensure that businesses and individuals in the area are not left behind by the next wave of economic change but are instead equipped to shape and build it.”
Mark Lemmon, Chair at Freeport East, said: “ The Stowmarket Innovation Gateway is another asset at Gateway 14 to attract world-class ambitious businesses to the region.
“A fantastic new facility designed to house, support and enable innovative business activity which will also support local communities to develop the skills they need to thrive in modern jobs.
“It will be a focal point for the region in terms of an inspiring place to build new initiatives and partnerships in tech, agriculture, sustainable construction and much more.”
The Gateway is managed by Hethel Innovation, which provides support to hundreds of businesses across East Anglia and already oversees three innovation hubs in Norfolk.
The building, delivered by Wilten Construction and Jaynic – in partnership with Gateway 14 – has a BREEAM excellence rating, including a green roof and solar panels.
It also offers an ultra-fast 10 gigabits per second fibre connection – the fastest available anywhere in the region.
The wider Gateway 14 development is already home to The Range’s 1.17m sq ft logistics and distribution centre, Ipswich-based Bauder, and eco-friendly construction materials manufacturer Assan Panel.
For more information about Freeport East’s investment programme and support for businesses across the region, visit the website at www.freeporteast.com.
