The Innovation Center forms the heart of the Greenwise Campus, a partnership between, among others, NHL Stenden, the University of Groningen, DCTerra, the province of Drenthe and the municipality of Emmen. The center must grow into the place in the region for knowledge development, innovation and entrepreneurship in the field of circular plastics, energy, smart manufacturing industry and healthcare technology.
The loan is necessary because the total investment for the renovated center, which is being expanded from 4,750 to 8,200 square meters, amounts to 15 million euros. The Just Transition Fund (JTF) contributes 8 million euros, but this subsidy will only be paid out afterwards. This creates a temporary liquidity shortage of 5 million euros, which the municipality wants to bridge with a short-term loan. The remaining 7 million euros concerns a long-term loan for the part that is not covered by a subsidy.