Economy

City of growth

Themed industrial estates
New businesses are offered space on 'themed' industrial estates, creating clusters of similar and mutually supporting types of business. This approach has proved to be a success. It has led to cooperation between companies, transfer of knowledge, new activities and extra customers. Groningen now has separate areas for companies active in furniture, those dealing with environmental matters and those in the automotive industry. There is also a Science Park for businesses specializing in ICT and the life sciences, and an industrial estate devoted to companies in the transport or transport-related sector.

A flying start
Groningen welcomes new businesses and therefore ensures that formalities such as permit applications, the recruitment of personnel and the selection of suppliers can take place as quickly and as efficiently as possible. New companies are assigned a single contact person within the local authority who will answer all their questions. This has proven to be an exemplary approach to business facilitation. Indeed, the approach was cited by former German president Roman Herzog who specifically mentioned Groningen when discussing successful socio-economic projects.

High-quality transport facilities
Groningen is the hub of the Western Netherlands/Northern Germany distribution route, along which it offers excellent varied transport facilities, by water, land and air. Groningen enjoys excellent accessibility by road, via the A28 and A7 motorways. Groningen has direct inland waterway connections with the seaports at Delfzijl and Eemshaven. Groningen Airport Eelde is the main airport in the northern Netherlands.