Invest in Cornwall
Key Competitive Attractions
Invest in Cornwall
- Cornwall is enjoying economic growth across a wide spectrum of sectors, and highly developed business clusters havealready formed here.
- Cornwall is undergoing the most extensive broadband project in the EU, which will deliver superfast broadband by 2014
- Combined Universities in Cornwall and is particularly exemplary in digital media and environmental sciences.
- Cornwall has a large pool of labour and well-developed skills base
- Newquay Cornwall Airport has been given Enterprise Zone status, making it a focal area for aerospace related business and investment. Cornwall Aerospace Hub Enterprise Zone will be a pioneer of modern, British Aerospace.
- £500m of European Convergence funding has been allocated to the county
- Major new developments in the last five years include improvements to the transport networks, the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) and the world famous Eden Project.
- Cornwall's accelerated development has been mirrored by significant employment growth - consistent inward migration of highly skilled people has been sustained for 10 years.
- Cornwall has a lower cost of living and lower overheads than many other areas in the UK - and indeed in Europe - which makes it an ideal place for new businesses.
- Flights from Newquay to London take just one hour.
- The UK's green peninsula, Cornwall is a centre of excellence for research and development in renewable energy.
- Cornwall is home to the Wave Hub, the biggest test site for wave energy technology in the world.
- The Peninsula Research Institute for Marine Renewable Energy, and the Camborne School of Mines are located in Cornwall.
- Clusters have developed in the fields of micro-generation, wind technology and other leading environmental services.
- Cornwall is known for its welcoming and family-friendly character, offering a modern work environment, without the stress and congestion of other urban areas.
Assistance and Support For New Business Investors
Cornwall has invested heavily in its economy in recent years, and a further £500m of European Convergence funding is being channelled into the county. This funding will strengthen and diversify the economy by supporting businesses, increasing skills levels, and improving the infrastructure.
Invest in Cornwall is a one-stop-shop of comprehensive information and services to companies interested in relocating to the county. To better serve each individual investor, Invest in Cornwall is divided into two divisions, targeting different geographical areas for investment: Invest in Cornwall UK & EU, and Invest in Cornwall International.
Our services include:
- Answering all your questions and conducting research into particular areas of interest to you.
- Ensure that investors have all relevant information about investing here, to help them make an informed decision about relocating to the county.
- Putting investors in touch with useful contacts
- Conducting property / site searches
- Offering advice and support on recruitment and training
- Researching eligible finance options, including loans and grants
- Undertaking or identifying initial research requirements, such as the local supply chains or market
- Facilitating introductions to useful contacts, including sector networks or providers of R&D grants
- Facilitating IT / broadband requirements and solutions
Invest in Cornwall services once you've decided to make the move…
- Marketing assistance - launching your business in the county via local media and relevant business magazines
- Promoting Cornwall as a great business location by highlighting successful businesses in the county
- Network support
- Aftercare services - follow up services to identify further support needs
More information can be found under Funding & Support.
Existing Business Base
Cornwall's economy is experiencing success in a diverse range of sectors, from high tech environmental technologies to food and drink production, and in between are sectors like aerospace, biotechnology and marine engineering. Discover why Cornwall is attracting leading companies in many fields…
- Cornwall has a long-standing reputation in industrial sectors, with high skills levels in the fields of engineering and maritime.
- Advanced communications network and high tech facilities make Cornwall highly popular among high tech companies.
- Newquay Cornwall Airport has become an Enterprise Zone, and is concentrating on aerospace related business and investment.
- Combined Universities in Cornwall is well known for educational excellence, particularly in the fields of in digital media and environmental sciences.
- Cornwall has a large workforce and generally lower costs of living, wages and commercial premises, making it a popular location for start ups, relocating businesses, and young, innovative companies.
Please see Business Sectors for more information on Cornwall’s sector strengths.
