During the Sunderland City Council’s Cabinet meeting on January 31st, it was discussed that companies associated with low carbon and high-tech manufacturing are considering expansion or relocation plans in the proposed zone. This zone will focus on the International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP) and Hillthorn Business Park areas to the west of the A19 and north of Nissan, in a joint project between Sunderland and South Tyneside Councils. IAMP is already home to the AESC gigafactory under construction for EV batteries, and Nissan has recently announced major investment plans for its site.
This new merged zone will become the International Advanced Manufacturing Strategic Site (IAMSS) and is part of the wider regional £160m North East Investment Zone (NEIZ) which is expected to create up to 10,000 new jobs. The larger zone incorporates sites in Blyth, Durham, and along the River Tyne corridor. The Cabinet has given its support to the zone, and it is expected to contribute to region-wide investment in industry-led skills, innovation, and research. The zone offers incentives and grants to businesses and is aligned with the region’s wider £4.2bn devolution deal and the creation of the North East Mayoral Combined Authority (NEMCA) with oversight of investment zones.
Councillor Graeme Miller, the Leader of Sunderland City Council and interim Portfolio Holder for Finance and Investment for the NEMCA remarked, “Our ongoing City Plan for a more dynamic, healthy and vibrant Sunderland includes themes for more and better jobs alongside the development of a low-carbon economy. By creating investment zones, we are helping to unlock public money for more upskilling, infrastructure work, and to attract private sector investment, creating new jobs and reducing inequality.”
He further stated that a number of companies associated with electrification are having discussions about locating within the tax site or expanding current facilities, with investment zone tax benefits providing a direct benefit to unlocking such investment. Businesses considering investments linked to the zone have also highlighted the importance of investing in skills, including battery and EV production, industrial digitisation, and enabling infrastructure to unlock further private sector investment at the site. This public investment and private sector investment the zone will leverage in will have a real positive impact for Sunderland’s residents now and for many generations to come.
In conclusion, the Sunderland City Council’s Cabinet meeting on January 31st discussed the proposed investment zone around the International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP) and Hillthorn Business Park areas, aimed at promoting low-carbon and high-tech manufacturing. The zone is expected to create up to 10,000 new jobs as part of the wider regional £160m North East Investment Zone and offers incentives and grants to businesses. Companies associated with electrification are considering locating or expanding facilities, and the importance of investing in skills, industrial digitisation and infrastructure has been highlighted. Public and private sector investment in the investment zone will have a positive impact on Sunderland’s residents in the future.
During the Sunderland City Council’s Cabinet meeting on January 31st, it was discussed that companies associated with low carbon and high-tech manufacturing are considering expansion or relocation plans in the proposed zone. This zone will focus on the International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP) and Hillthorn Business Park areas to the west of the A19 and north of Nissan, in a joint project between Sunderland and South Tyneside Councils. IAMP is already home to the AESC gigafactory under construction for EV batteries, and Nissan has recently announced major investment plans for its site.
This new merged zone will become the International Advanced Manufacturing Strategic Site (IAMSS) and is part of the wider regional £160m North East Investment Zone (NEIZ) which is expected to create up to 10,000 new jobs. The larger zone incorporates sites in Blyth, Durham, and along the River Tyne corridor. The Cabinet has given its support to the zone, and it is expected to contribute to region-wide investment in industry-led skills, innovation, and research. The zone offers incentives and grants to businesses and is aligned with the region’s wider £4.2bn devolution deal and the creation of the North East Mayoral Combined Authority (NEMCA) with oversight of investment zones.
Councillor Graeme Miller, the Leader of Sunderland City Council and interim Portfolio Holder for Finance and Investment for the NEMCA remarked, “Our ongoing City Plan for a more dynamic, healthy and vibrant Sunderland includes themes for more and better jobs alongside the development of a low-carbon economy. By creating investment zones, we are helping to unlock public money for more upskilling, infrastructure work, and to attract private sector investment, creating new jobs and reducing inequality.”
He further stated that a number of companies associated with electrification are having discussions about locating within the tax site or expanding current facilities, with investment zone tax benefits providing a direct benefit to unlocking such investment. Businesses considering investments linked to the zone have also highlighted the importance of investing in skills, including battery and EV production, industrial digitisation, and enabling infrastructure to unlock further private sector investment at the site. This public investment and private sector investment the zone will leverage in will have a real positive impact for Sunderland’s residents now and for many generations to come.
In conclusion, the Sunderland City Council’s Cabinet meeting on January 31st discussed the proposed investment zone around the International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP) and Hillthorn Business Park areas, aimed at promoting low-carbon and high-tech manufacturing. The zone is expected to create up to 10,000 new jobs as part of the wider regional £160m North East Investment Zone and offers incentives and grants to businesses. Companies associated with electrification are considering locating or expanding facilities, and the importance of investing in skills, industrial digitisation and infrastructure has been highlighted. Public and private sector investment in the investment zone will have a positive impact on Sunderland’s residents in the future.
