Business Arena an important stage for Norrbotten: "Dare to think long-term"

– Alone is not strong. We need to collaborate across municipal borders to get more housing built, says Ellinor Isaksson Larsson, planning and development manager in the municipality of Boden. At the Business Arena in Umeå, several of Norrbotten's stakeholders gathered to shine a spotlight on the need for housing – and attract investment.

Business Arena is one of Sweden's most important meeting places for the real estate and civil engineering sector. This is where municipalities, regions, construction companies and investors meet. For Norrbotten, the fair is a strategic arena. The county is in the midst of an industrial and social transformation. Investments are large. The need for labor is growing rapidly. At the same time, there is a housing shortage in most municipalities.

Through a joint presence in Umeå, Norrbotten told its own story. A story about opportunities, but also about the obstacles that must be overcome.

Collaboration as key

Several of the conversations at the fair revolved around the same question: how do we get housing construction started in a pressured situation? Ellinor Isaksson Larsson pointed out the importance of joint solutions.

– To cope with the difficult situation that exists, we need to work together. Publicly and privately. And across municipal borders, she said.

The municipality of Boden, like many other municipalities in the county, has few vacant homes. At the same time, it is difficult for developers to make the calculations work. High construction costs, expensive loans and uncertainty make them hesitate.

Housing is competitiveness

In the panel discussion Housing for the needs of the future, Mikael Aamisepp, CEO of Region Norrbotten's company Invest in Norrbotten, raised the housing issue as part of the region's competitiveness.

– Housing shortage is a problem. But it is also a clear signal of demand. There are business opportunities for actors who dare to think long-term, he says.

He was clear that the industrial transition in the north is here to stay. The day before, it was also clear that the Wallenberg Consortium will become the new main owner of the steel company Stegra in Boden. The company has also secured a total of SEK 15 billion in investments from several players. This strengthens both the implementation capacity and the long-term confidence in the development in the region.

– The green transition is not a bubble, it is happening for real. It must be built. Welcome, says Mikael Aamisepp.

Long-term perspective and responsibility

In the panel discussion on the Housing Market in Northern Sweden, Susanne Olofsson, CEO of Norrlandsfonden, emphasized the need for personal responsibility and shared courage.

– No one else will help. The best way is to do it yourself. We have to start ourselves and show that it can be done, especially when we help each other, she says.

She highlights the importance of a long-term perspective, more efficient processes and more actors with local roots. Financing, time and collaboration become crucial when the market is uncertain.

For the fourth time, Norrbotten had a joint stand at Business Arena.

Joint force forward

Through the project BOST – Strengthened capacity for sustainable housing development in Norrbotten – the region works together with municipalities and other actors to build knowledge and strengthen implementation capacity. Business Arena will be an important place to make contacts, share experiences and show that Norrbotten is serious.

There was great interest in Norrbotten in Umeå. New contacts were made. Meetings were booked. Above all, the image of a region that acts together was strengthened.

– It is positive to be here and to do it together, says Ellinor Isaksson Larsson.

Business Arena is not a goal in itself. But it is an important step in getting housing construction to take off – and in giving Norrbotten the right conditions for growth.