How is Norrbotten going from stagnation to expansion?

Over 1000 billion will be invested in northern Sweden and the green transition. A completely unique societal transformation with historic investments and initiatives that are currently taking place in both Norrbotten and Västerbotten. But what will it take to make it successful? We take a closer look at that question in the podcast Let's talk.

– If you have lived in stagnation for a long time, it is not so easy to enter the expansive phase. It is a big challenge for infrastructure and schools and all other things. It is a feat for everyone who has to handle this, says coordinator Peter Larsson.

For a few months now, Peter Larsson has been working on behalf of the government to ensure that the investments in the north of Sweden are as successful as possible. He is talking to all the stakeholders involved: the municipalities, the regions, the county administrative boards, the authorities and the companies themselves. It is about attractiveness, competence, the electricity grid and the company's own self-image.

– What does it mean if the population of upper Norrland will grow by 100 people in the next 000-10 years? That is both what is actually needed, and what will be the result if all this is successful, says Peter Larsson in Let's talk.

How do we avoid Norrbotten becoming a workplace for weekly commuters who live and pay taxes elsewhere? What prejudices do we need to break down, and what norms do we need to change? What is required in terms of supply, culture, leisure activities and housing to make it attractive to move here? These are questions that will affect all Norrbotten residents to some extent.

My guiding principle is that attractiveness breeds attractiveness and it starts somewhere. And that's the process we're in right now, says Peter Larsson in Let's talk.

Episode 9: How does Norrbotten go from stagnation to expansion?

Episode 9: How does Norrbotten go from stagnation to expansion? (Spotify)