Work has begun on the state-of-the-art Skills and Innovation Centre at Gateway 14 business park.
The three-storey hub will be central to the innovation and logistics park, which is being delivered by Jaynic on half of Mid Suffolk Council-owned Gateway 14 Ltd.
It forms part of Freeport East, near J50 of the A14.
Along with office space for high growth start-ups, collaboration and innovation spaces, meeting rooms and a café, the centre will be used for training in partnership with the Universities of Suffolk and Essex, West Suffolk College, Suffolk New College and Colchester Institute to address the region’s skills gap.
Freeport East is contributing £16.66 million towards the project’s total cost of £18.8m, with Mid Suffolk District Council meeting the rest.
The contract to run the centre has just been awarded to Hethel Innovation, which already Hethel Engineering Centre, Scottow Enterprise Park and Broadland Food Innovation Centre in Norfolk.
Cllr Richard Winch, cabinet member for housing and property at Mid Suffolk District Council, said: “This is such a significant moment for a transformational project that is not only beneficial for Stowmarket, but for the whole region.
“The Skills and Innovation Centre is set to be a hub for talented local businesses with a particular focus on the green economy, digital and AI technology – providing a talent pipeline that will allow firms to innovate and grow, as well as encouraging more inward investment to our area.
“We have ticked the boxes and jumped the hurdles, we are now delivering on our promises and bringing these plans to life.”
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