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Largely automated vertical farms where salads and other produce are grown in vertically stacked layers in a carefully controlled environment that doesn’t depend on the weather – and uses a fraction of the water.

Acres of arable land harvested with robotic tractors providing a more sustainable, efficient method of land production. Strawberries that are grown all year round with advanced storage facilities that enable fruit growers to keep the supermarket shelves full. New crops honed for resilience that in a time of climate change and economic uncertainty give hope against global hunger.

Steaks made from plants, animal feed made from seaweed, autonomous vehicles letting technology take the strain. Medicines made from cannabis and drugs that will defeat the next pandemic; hydrogen fuel plants fuelling buses and systems that halve the amount of household waste that goes down the drain.

This is a taste of tomorrow’s world and it’s already happening here in Kent and Medway, supported by world-leading research and clusters of innovators across science, engineering and technology more generally, who have chosen to build their success in the region.

Science led innovation extending the ‘Golden triangle’

This science led innovation and the opportunities in the pipeline for the next decade and beyond form a key part of a newly published investment prospectus from Locate in Kent titled ‘Investing in Kent for future generations’ that sets out opportunities for growth alongside the financial contribution that could be delivered in the region with further public and private investment.

For example, Discovery Park in Sandwich and Kent Science Park in Sittingbourne between them are seeking to deliver around one million sq. ft of additional science space in the coming years. The golden triangle could be about to take on a new shape.

Emerging facilities with planning permission at Maidstone’s Kent Medical Campus as well as ambitions for Innovation Park, Medway only serve to add to a sense of momentum building in Kent and Medway, a region already making a significant contribution to the global success of UK science.

A region driving the UK’s green economy

Kent and Medway are already leading the way in areas key to the future UK economy from sustainable construction to advanced, robotic led manufacturing, renewable power production and a greener approach to logistics and distribution.

The Port of Dover, the UK’s busiest international ferry port is working towards establishing the UK’s first high volume green shipping corridor across the Dover Straits. Brompton bikes, meanwhile intends to set the standard for sustainable production at its proposed new headquarters and production site in Ashford.

NueConnect will deliver a new green power connection to the Hoo Peninsula linking the power grids of the UK and Germany but also driving the regeneration of the former Isle of Grain Power Station Site with planning permission for over five million sq. ft. of industrial buildings capable of accommodating some 6,000 new jobs.

With a pipeline of highly skilled jobs and the potential for so much more, the contribution made by Kent and Medway in economic terms goes beyond the M25, making a nationwide contribution to UK plc.

2020s – A decade for opportunity

As the capital cost of vehicles using alternative fuels falls, the demand for green power will grow exponentially. Through companies such as Ryze Hydrogen, Kent and Medway can meet that challenge over the next decade.

The food and drink production industry is one of the UK’s largest manufacturing sectors and a major part of the economy for Kent and Medway. Through the work of Growing Kent and Medway’s world leading research catalyst and accelerator programme, the region is fast meeting the challenge of changing consumer tastes and nutritional needs – as well as more sustainable ways to package and produce.

Almost 15 million sq. ft. of new supersheds were built across the UK in 2020 alone. Amazon’s 2.3 million sq. ft. fulfilment centre at Dartford employs 2,000+ people despite being largely automated. New green engineering centres launched by EKC Colleges Group in 2023 and Christ Church University’s world-class engineering school are giving people the skills that UK employers will need going forward.

With Kent and Medway championing the road to net zero, there is a growing opportunity now for decarbonising the logistics sector in the region, including harnessing new technology, fuel systems and methods of ‘last mile’ delivery.

The region is also benefitting from a loss of 5.7 million sq. ft. of industrial space in London to other uses. A large proportion of manufacturers from the capital have moved east to the Thames Estuary, including Kent and Medway. With new international legislation aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of components, there’s increased incentives for reshoring production to the region.

A £23 billion pound boost to Britain’s economy

Research commissioned by Locate in Kent suggests Britain’s economy could receive a £23 billion boost from attracting vital investment to Kent and Medway over the next 25 years.

The figure from the University of Kent is included within the compelling narrative of Locate in Kent’s first ever investment prospectus highlighting the continuing and future importance of the region to UK plc including how Kent and Medway can:

- Unlock national growth to enable levelling up across the UK, especially through faster distribution and trade through Kent’s ports.
- Prevent cost of living crises through green energy production and producing more food in the UK all year round.
- Provide more manufacturing space for business onshoring or moving out of London.
- Add around one million square feet of science space to keep the UK a leading life science centre.

David Brooks-Wilson, Chairman, Locate in Kent, said: “The region can deliver an additional Gross Added Value (GVA) of £23 billion over that period, as investment is made, and projects are delivered. That would represent a GDP uplift of 0.9% to England’s economy alone.

“Our Investment Prospectus sets out the bright legacy for Kent’s future generations if we enable the investment that’s needed today, providing an important resource for the region’s decision makers as they seek policy and infrastructure funding support from Whitehall to unlock that future growth.”

Simon Ryan, Investment Director, Locate in Kent, said: “Kent has been strategically important to the nation’s prosperity for generations and has the potential to unlock national growth further today.

“Kent is the UK’s South East Gateway, where investment brings prosperity for the whole country.”

Read Locate in Kent’s Investing in Kent for future generations Investment Prospectus by downloading a copy here.

Locate in Kent is the official investment promotion agency for Kent and Medway with a mission to create jobs through supporting investment in economic growth, especially inward investment.

To find out more, visit www.locateinkent.com