Cumberland Council has launched the Cumberland Economic Strategy, a bold and comprehensive plan designed to accelerate sustainable growth, attract new investment, and create high‑quality opportunities for residents and businesses across the region.
Developed in collaboration with local communities, industry leaders, education partners and regional stakeholders, the strategy sets out a clear vision for a thriving, inclusive and resilient Cumberland economy over the next decade.
Leader of Cumberland, Cllr Mark Fryer, said:
“This strategy marks a major milestone for Cumberland. It reflects our ambition to build a dynamic economy that works for everyone - one that nurtures innovation, supports local enterprise, and ensures our communities benefit from new jobs, skills and investment. Cumberland has enormous potential, and this plan gives us the roadmap to unlock it.”
The Strategy seeks to deliver an improved economy and opportunity for all across Cumberland with a focus on boosting prosperity, supporting our offer as a place to live, work and invest and ensuring our communities have the best opportunities in life. It is available at www.cumberland.gov.uk/invest-in-cumberland
Alongside these fundamentals the strategy identifies significant opportunity around clean growth, advanced manufacturing and nuclear; the visitor, leisure economy and culture; together with the rural economy and natural environment. In delivering there is a focus on boosting community wealth and meaningful partnership and collaboration.
The strategy has been shaped through extensive engagement with residents, businesses, voluntary organisations and public‑sector partners. It will be delivered through a series of targeted programmes, investment plans and cross‑sector collaborations, with progress reviewed annually.
Implementation of the Cumberland Economic Strategy is already underway with the first phase focusing on business support, skills development and investment in key infrastructure projects.
The strategy will be shared with investors and partners at the Cumbria UKREiiF pavilion (19 - 21 May) in Leeds.
Cumbria’s presence at UKREiiF will continue conversations started in Westminster and provide a national platform to showcase the county’s ambition, collaboration and readiness for investment.