Here are some questions we've been asked that you might like the answer to
What is a Freeport?
Visit What are Freeports for more information.
Where would it be and how many sites are involved?
East Midlands Freeport is in a central location, straddling the 3 counties of Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.
Visit Freeport sites for more information.
What benefits will it bring?
The Freeport will bring many benefits including driving economic regeneration and creating thousands of jobs.
More information about the benefits are detailed in About East Midlands Freeport and latest news.
How will it cut the region's carbon emissions?
Net zero, innovation and skills are at the core of the plans. And by incentivising businesses to do more, we will accelerate the great work already taking place.
This includes East Midlands Airport which is the first UK airport certified as carbon-neutral for its ground operations, SEGRO launching an electric shuttle bus and trialling smart building technology and Uniper’s plans for decarbonisation at Ratcliffe.
How much is it costing and how is it being funded
A combination of significant private sector led investment with public sector spend – including £25m of Government seed funding.
The freeport is expected to contribute around [£8.4 billion] to the East Midlands economy [over the next 30 years), support and create around 55,000 jobs and generate £1.5bn in additional business rates over 25 years – which can be spent benefiting local communities.
How dependent is the freeport on HS2?
High Speed 2 (HS2) and the East Midlands Freeport each benefit the other, but they aren't dependent on one another.
What are the timescales?
Following our successful bid, an outline business case has been submitted to the Government. A full business case is due to be submitted in December and our aim is to have the freeport up and running by March 2022.
Which organisations are involved?
The bid is led by a group of landowners, site developers, local authorities and local enterprise partnerships.
View the list of partners.
What are the governance arrangements?
The activities of the freeport are overseen by a board comprising freeport partners.
How will you talk to communities about what it means for them?
We will be reaching out to communities in a number of ways over the coming months, including online events and newsletters, to explain the benefits that the freeport will bring, and to also invite ideas and feedback to help maximise those benefits for all.
I run a business nearby – how will it affect me?
The freeport promises new opportunities for businesses in the East Midlands, as well as the wider Midlands regions and beyond. By attracting new investment in a range of sectors such as advanced manufacturing and logistics, creating a hotbed for innovation and delivering new jobs, the potential for existing local business to benefit is huge, and we will be working hard to make sure that we maximise those benefits.
Who should I contact?
Please use the form to contact us and we'll be in touch as soon as we can.