The end of year figures from Locate in Kent, announced at an event at London Golf Club, near Brands Hatch yesterday, reveal it assisted a total of 73 companies to relocate, set-up or expand in the county in 2010-11, creating 2,588 new, retained and indirect jobs.

The highest number of investments were in the retail and wholesale sector, followed by food and agriculture and public administration, education and health. Medway attracted the largest number of companies (15), while Swale took the biggest share of new jobs created (383). 

The majority of companies (82%) were UK-based but Locate in Kent also assisted 13 businesses from overseas – including five from the US, two each from Germany and France, as well as one each from Australia and New Zealand.

Kent and Medway is a top location for environmental technologies companies. Locate in Kent’s end of year figures show it assisted these types of businesses create 262 new jobs in 2010-11, the highest number of any sector. 

One of the companies that relocated last year was Ideal Waste Paper Co. Ltd, which moved from London to a purpose-built Materials Recycling Facility in Swanley in early 2011 creating 60 new jobs. The company’s state-of-the-art facility (pictured) is able to recycle up to 250,000 tonnes of paper, cans, plastic and glass every year for both public and private sector clients. For more information, visit www.idealwastepaper.co.uk.

There was also good news for Sittingbourne-based electrical waste recycling firm SWEEEP Kuusakoski recently, which was named Recycling Business of the Year in the letsrecycle.com Awards for Excellence in Recycling and Waste Management.

Locate in Kent has launched a new website specifically aimed at investors with an interest in East Kent.

As well as outlining the benefits of each district (Canterbury, Dover, Shepway and Thanet), the site - www.east-kent.co.uk, highlights the cost-effectiveness, quality of life, education, workforce and the transport links offered in the area. The site also features an interactive map, showing East Kent’s main regeneration and development sites and commercial properties.

Users can also view case studies of successful companies already in East Kent, see the latest business stories from the area and register to access Locate in Kent’s commercial property website to search for and receive updates on suitable sites.

Appleyards has joined as Locate in Kent's most recent corporate partner. The company project-manages all aspects of business and facilities change, whether it is relocating personnel, extending premises or improving carbon footprint. Its areas of expertise include: project, cost and facilities management, building surveying, sustainability and environmental improvement. For more information visit www.appleyards.co.uk 

Locate in Kent has a wide range of corporate partners. For details, see the Partnership Directory on the Locate in Kent website - www.locateinkent.com/partners. The Corporate Partnership scheme is aimed at all companies looking for new business opportunities. 

Membership costs £1,500 plus VAT per year and benefits include a company listing and link on the Locate in Kent website, invitations to networking events and entry in the Partnership Directory, which is distributed widely to clients. For more information call Lizzy Crofts on 01732 520700.