A ten-year economic strategy identifying agri-tech, energy, ports and digital as Kent and Medway’s priority growth sectors was considered by Kent County Council’s Growth, Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee on 10 November 2026.
A draft Local Growth Plan for Kent and Medway, developed by consultants Metro Dynamics on behalf of the Kent and Medway Economic Partnership (KMEP), was put before Kent County Council’s Growth, Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee on 10 November 2026. The committee was asked to endorse the plan or make recommendations to the Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Special Projects, David Wimble.
Why the plan was produced
The report noted that Kent and Medway is at a disadvantage compared with areas that have a Mayoral Strategic Authority, because a significant proportion of national spending is being directed towards such authorities. All 14 local authorities in Kent and Medway are lobbying for the establishment of a Mayoral Strategic Authority, and a government response was described as expected shortly. In the meantime, KMEP agreed in late 2025 to develop a Local Growth Plan proactively, given that many national funding programmes now require places to demonstrate a clear understanding of their economic strengths and investment priorities.
Four priority sectors identified
Following an evidence-base assessment commissioned in November 2025 and stakeholder engagement involving more than 120 participants across five workshops in May 2026, and a further round consulting more than 100 organisations in September 2026, four sectors were identified as priorities:
Agri-tech and agri-food: The report described Kent and Medway as having one of the UK’s most significant concentrations of food production, horticulture and agricultural activity, with the sector underpinning manufacturing, packaging, logistics and trade.
Energy: The area hosts the Isle of Grain LNG terminal, described as the UK’s largest LNG facility, major electricity interconnectors linking the UK with continental Europe, and substantial offshore renewable energy generation. The planned decommissioning of Dungeness was cited as presenting further opportunities.
Digital: The plan highlighted strengths in electronics manufacturing, cyber security, artificial intelligence and digital creative sectors, including firms such as BAE Systems in Rochester.
Ports, transport and logistics: The report stated that Kent and Medway handles 59% of the nation’s trade flows to the EU, with the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel, and Medway and Isle of Sheppey Ports among the key assets.
Other sectors noted but not prioritised
The evidence base also identified strengths in construction, life sciences and medtech, and the visitor economy. However, the report stated these sectors do not sufficiently align with the Government’s Industrial Strategy priority sectors and were therefore not taken forward as priorities within the Local Growth Plan, though the plan includes a page acknowledging their contribution to employment and economic output.
Next steps
The plan was presented to the committee by Martyn Saunders and Megan Russell of Metro Dynamics, alongside KMEP Manager Sarah Nurden. The committee was asked to endorse the proposed decision to adopt the draft plan and support its future implementation by KMEP.
The council had not published the minutes of the meeting at the time of writing, so the committee’s decision is not yet on the public record.