Connecting Industry Closer to Regional Development

Four municipalities, three partner companies and one shared goal: strengthening value chains, professionalizing investment promotion and ensuring that new businesses choose the Rana region. Last week, Team Municipality in Venture North gathered at Mo Industrial Park.

Venture North is an intermunicipal initiative led by Rana Utvikling, established to attract new enterprises to the region and support development in the municipalities of Rana, Hemnes, Lurøy and Hattfjelldal.

Once a month, business development staff from the municipalities meet as Team Municipality to coordinate their efforts in attracting new establishments, improving hosting capacity and driving economic development. This time, the meeting was hosted by Mo Industrial Park.

“Mo Industrial Park is the region’s industrial hub and a key partner for us. It is valuable for the municipalities to get closer to the activity and the collaboration taking place here,” says Annfrid Olsen, Deputy CEO and Project Manager at Rana Utvikling.

Partner Companies Playing a Central Role in New Establishments

Venture North has three partner companies: Mo Industrial Park, Rana Gruber and Kvarøy Fish Farming. They play an important part in attracting new players and strengthening already established value chains.

“We meet with Mo Industrial Park every other week. We follow up on incoming inquiries, establishment processes and potential connections that can strengthen the region,” says Olsen.

The participants were also given a tour of the park and an update on the collaboration between Venture North and the industrial park.

Four Municipalities – One Shared Initiative

Venture North operates on behalf of Rana, Hemnes, Lurøy and Hattfjelldal, with a particular focus on three key industries:

• Marine and aquaculture
  • Energy-intensive industry
  • Tourism and hospitality

“We map available industrial areas, assess the potential for new establishments and connect stakeholders across municipality borders. The work is about strengthening existing value chains while making room for new ones,” says Olsen.

Tools that Strengthen Both New and Established Companies

Venture North serves as a strategic connector between industry and municipal leadership.

“As the steering group consists of the municipal executives in each municipality, we can ensure an aligned approach when important processes begin. That is a great strength in development work,” says Olsen.

The project also delivers tools and insights that benefit established companies.

“We have developed resources that provide an overview of value chains, local suppliers and regional capacity. It offers a solid decision-making foundation for both new and existing actors,” says Olsen.

The English-language website is an important supplement.

“International suppliers, customers and investors can now easily access key information about the region. This has been in demand for a long time,” Olsen concludes.

Categorised in: Frontpage, Industripark News