Northumberland – a land of great opportunities for jobs, investment and growth

But it’s also a land of great opportunities, for those who live and work here, and those who want to invest in our future.

In 2024, a £10 billion ‘once in a lifetime’ investment - one of the largest in the UK - was approved by Northumberland County Council. An investment which will see a Datacentre built in Cambois, delivering hundreds of long-term jobs.

QTS, a digital infrastructure leader in designing, building and operating sustainable datacentres has committed to boosting local technical skills with targets for apprenticeships, working with the Council and local training providers.

As part of QTS’s investment, the Council will receive a £110m fund which will drive long-term investment, including in growth and jobs schemes in the economic corridor along our fantastic, new, ambitious, Northumberland Line – closed for over 70 years, which since opening in December 2024 has seen over half a million passenger journeys between Ashington and Newcastle.

Council Leader Glen Sanderson said: “Opportunities such as this provide more opportunities for people across Northumberland, whether in our picturesque market towns, in our rural villages or in our urban areas.

"This investment will benefit all and will undoubtedly encourage other businesses to invest.

"We are excited about what this will bring to the county.

"Creating opportunities in Northumberland’s rural areas, is equally as important as Northumberland’s urban areas.

"Rural Northumberland is home to some of the country's most distinctive and valuable natural and cultural heritage, including our pristine coastline; one of the UK's largest farming sectors; plentiful renewable energy resources and carbon capture capability; productive woodlands and waterways; precious nature habitats and biodiversity; and our unique Borderlands culture and heritage. “

Investing in rural Northumberland

Through the Rural Asset Multiplier Programme (RAMP) the Council is investing in Northumberland’s unique natural, economic, and cultural assets in a way that simultaneously enhance the environment, grow the economy, and improve opportunity and prosperity in our local rural communities.

Since 2023 £2.8m has been invested in projects across rural Northumberland with a further £800k of capital investment being delivered during 2025 and 2026.

The Borderlands Inclusive Growth deal has enabled a £21m Place Programme, which is working with communities to develop Investment Plans to enhance the county’s rural towns and villages.

Cllr Sanderson continued: “Supporting the development and growth in rural communities and exploring new ways to do so is vitally important.

"We know what our rural communities can offer, but through our Rural Growth programme, we are helping communities to improve quality of life, by realising what is already great and what the benefits of being competitive in the production of food, having an attractive environment and creating job opportunities can bring.

"And through our Northumberland Small Business Service small businesses, particularly rural and farming businesses can access support to prosper and grow.

"Our farmers play a huge role in making Northumberland the beautiful place it is and at an unsettled time for them, and other small businesses in the countryside, we are working on some new initiatives to further support them.

"In partnership with the National Park, our Farming Advisory Service has already helped over 114 farming businesses to access the support needed through capital investment.

"Northumberland has an incredible story to tell when it comes to the food and drink sector too and we will help businesses showcase all that is produced here.

"We want to see Northumberland’s urban and rural areas thrive, so the more support and opportunities we can provide the better.”

A boost for towns

Northumberland’s coastal and market towns have seen huge investment over the last few years; Hexham saw a £2.4m programme of improvements to boost the town centre and enhance the Conservation Area, a £30million regeneration programme in Ashington to revitalise the town centre and a programme of works to energise Blyth, which has seen a new venue for film, events and social experiences opening this summer.

“Our towns are at the heart of many of our communities and local economies," added Cllr Sanderson. "We want to see them thriving, and investing in them ensures this will long be the case.

"That is why as well as direct investment, we continue to commit to free parking, to support both our large and small businesses within our town centres.

"Whilst the Council is doing a lot to support large and small businesses and investing in the county and its communities, the Best of Northumberland awards are an opportunity to celebrate all the work those in our communities do too.

“Being able to celebrate and thank our residents and businesses is so important, and we are proud to support awards that allow us to do that. We couldn’t do many of the things we do without those in our communities.

"Northumberland wouldn’t be the great place it is without them, the land of great opportunities we so often talk about. So please do think about nominating this year."

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