THE Humber's profile as a major hub for the renewables industry has been given a further boost after the region was designated a specialist area for the offshore wind sector.
This area is one of five Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) to be officially recognised by the Government as a Centre for Offshore Renewable Engineering (Core).
The Core status adds further weight to the Humber's bid to attract wind turbine manufacturers to the region, complementing the incentives provided by the area's extended enterprise zone.
In addition to this the Humber LEP has been granted £5.8 million in Government funding to help kick-start infrastructure projects.
Although the specifics of the Core status have yet to be outlined, they will involve measures aimed at supporting businesses looking to invest in manufacturing for the offshore renewables industry.
These will build on the benefits available to businesses operating within the Humber's extended enterprise zone, which includes Able UK's proposed Marine Energy Park at North Killingholme and the operations and maintenance facilities at Grimsby Docks, such as business rate discounts, simplified planning regimes and superfast broadband.
Ed Moss, of the Humber LEP, said: "Being given Core status shows that the Government recognises the Humber as a prime location for the offshore renewables industry.
"Together with the package of benefits that come with the enterprise zone it will provide great encouragement to businesses to invest in the Humber."
As part of the Humber's bid for Core status, a marketing prospectus targeted at offshore renewables companies, has been produced.
Mr Moss said: "The prospectus will become our key marketing tool. Our aim is to make sure businesses involved in the renewables industry choose the Humber as their location.
"We have a number of key advantages, such as the UK's largest port complex, proximity to the North Sea wind farm zones, good transport links to the rest of the country and the largest enterprise zone in England."
The £5.8 million grant has been allocated from the Growing Places Fund and is to be used to address infrastructure constraints, promote economic growth and create jobs.
Although the funding has been allocated to the Humber region, and the LEP will have a say in how it is used, the money will be administered by the local authorities.
Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council Chris Shaw, who represents the local authority on the LEP, said: "A major focus for the whole area will be renewables, but we will use this funding for anything that will create employment and get people back into work."
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