The East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) has today announced a new investment plan that will make £107 million funding available to drive inclusive growth across the region.
The Local Growth Fund – approved at the latest EMCCA Board meeting today – will provide investment for programmes focused on business growth, employment and skills, infrastructure, regeneration, innovation, and community resilience from 2026-30.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: “This £107m investment plan is a major opportunity to accelerate delivery of our Local Growth Plan and ensure the East Midlands is a region where people and businesses can thrive.
“We are investing in the skills people need to access good jobs, supporting businesses to innovate and grow, unlocking regeneration opportunities, and creating stronger, more vibrant communities.
“Our approach is focused on inclusive growth, ensuring that every part of the region benefits from investment, opportunity, and renewed confidence in the future of the East Midlands.”
The Local Growth Fund will support five key areas:
Developing skills and employment opportunities
About £17m will be invested into an “Opportunity Escalator” programme to support people into work, help young people connect to training and employment pathways, and work with employers to develop a more productive and inclusive workforce. This builds on significant existing regional investment in skills and employment support programmes.
Supporting local businesses
Some £21m will accelerate business growth and investment through an expanded regional business support offer, a new Business Investment Fund to stimulate private sector investment, and assist SMEs with energy resilience and targeted support for the visitor economy, including cultural and sporting assets and destination marketing.
Driving innovation in advanced manufacturing and clean energy
A further £12m is committed to cluster development and innovation, helping strengthen the East Midlands’ high-value sectors. Funding will drive innovation programmes, business acceleration, mentoring, commercialisation activity, and the development of regional supply chains and skills opportunities.
Unlocking strategic sites for regeneration
A sum of £32m will be used to unlock key sites for housing, regeneration, and employment growth. Investment will support land remediation, infrastructure improvements, flood mitigation, energy and utilities provision, and regeneration finance to accelerate delivery and attract further private sector investment.
Helping our communities to thrive
A further £20m will be invested into “Thriving Places” initiatives, including digital connectivity, local centre regeneration, rural development, community energy projects, and programmes to strengthen community resilience.
The Local Growth Fund complements EMCCA’s wider investment portfolio, including major transport investment, housing and regeneration funding, support for the East Midlands Investment Zone, and community development programmes already underway across the region.
The delivery of the fund supports the East Midlands Growth Plan and is aligned with Mayor Claire’s priorities to boost productivity, support businesses, create better jobs, and ensure communities across the region benefit from long-term economic growth.
The East Midlands Growth Plan is a 10-year strategy built around three core pillars: enabling growth, maximising high impact sectors, and creating thriving places.
Delivery of the plan will mean:
Further details on delivery and allocations to each project will be announced as implementation of the fund progresses.
Published on: 8 June 2026
Categories: News, Economic Development