Freeport East, East Anglia’s industrial hub, celebrated its third anniversary with major investments, new facilities, and job growth.

Freeport East, East Anglia’s only Industrial Strategy Zone, marked its third anniversary in 2026 with £250 million in private investment, over £200 million in international inward investment, and nearly £20 million in skills and innovation funding. It has attracted global firms like Ukrainian drone maker Ukrspecsystems and Turkey’s Assan Panel, which began a £45 million sustainable construction facility in Stowmarket. A Bauder Ltd distribution center opened, and the £18 million Stowmarket Innovation Gateway is set to launch mid-2026, supporting nearly 2,000 jobs across 21 hectares of development. Freeport East launched a cyber resilience program with the University of Essex and opened a new Harwich innovation hub co-funded by the UK Government. Plans are underway to expand economic growth in Ipswich and Colchester through garden communities, university-led innovation, and research-driven projects.