SSAB, LKAB and Stegra are just a few of the major investments transforming northern Sweden. Along the “Malmbanan”, large-scale industrial projects are driving rapid growth in both Luleå and Boden, with impacts that extend far beyond the factory gates and into society as a whole.
Are there similarities with the Jakobstad region? Absolutely.
Like Luleå and Boden, we have access to green energy, a reliable power grid, a main railway line, ports, an airport and strong road connections. In other words, the infrastructure needed to support large-scale industrial investment and efficient logistics is already in place.
Luleå is slightly larger than Kokkola, while Boden is somewhat larger than Jakobstad. Although no two regions are identical, the comparison is surprisingly relevant.
What about the differences?
The obvious one is access to raw materials. Norrbotten’s development is built around its iron ore and rare earth metals resources, something we do not have in the same way. However, if realised, the Actial project would be comparable in scale. In Luleå and Boden alone, there are at least three investments of a similar size, if not larger.
At the same time, the Jakobstad region and Ostrobothnia benefit from a more diversified industrial base that has evolved over decades. In Norrbotten, many value chains are closely linked to the mining sector. Stegra, however, is opening entirely new ground through hydrogen-based steel production and pioneering technologies that could reshape the global steel industry.
The most significant lessons from the benchmarking visit?
Projects of this magnitude fundamentally change communities.
The effects are already clearly visible in Luleå and Boden. Existing businesses are finding new growth opportunities, while entirely new services and industries are emerging. Every direct job created generates at least two additional indirect jobs, and major investments attract companies seeking a place in the new value chains being built around them.
Education providers gain new opportunities to expand and develop programmes. Municipalities grow, bringing positive urban development, improved public services and stronger tax revenues. Perhaps most striking of all is the sense of optimism. Across Norrbotten, we encountered motivated stakeholders and a shared belief in the future.
At times, I wonder whether we always demonstrate the same collective ambition.
There is every reason to be proud of what we already have, but the world is changing rapidly. We should be cautious about assuming that all of today’s value chains and industries will still be here ten years from now.
Perhaps the question we should be asking more often is this:
Where does the Jakobstad region, and the World’s Best Place, want to be in ten years’ time?
Norrbotten, not only in industry, but also in regional development, resilience and defence.
One final observation.
I have never seen so many military representatives at a business conference. The discussions provided valuable insights into how security, defence, dual-use technologies and the emerging East-West defence partnership are reshaping the development agenda across the regions.
There is no doubt that we have strong reasons to deepen cooperation with Norrbotten, not only in industry, but also in regional development, resilience and defence.
Link: https://demonorth.com/
Fredrik Sandelin, Regional developer
044-324 3435
fredrik.sandelin@concordia.jakobstad.fi