New year hopes are high

Happy new year to one and all.
Well 2006 was a vitally important 12 months for the Grimsby area.
I have written in great detail about the ports expansions that came to fruition last summer, but the impact they can have, not only in extra handling ability - but the spend raising the profile of the Port of Immingham and surrounding arrea - has really brought northern Lincolnshire to the fore.
And in the closing months of the year we saw how attractive it is proving.
Major companies are heading this way, with the ports a key part of the pull here. Also, the big players that are here already are developing further too.
Major names such as ConocoPhillips, Total Lindsey Oil Refinery and Novartis are all expanding.
In 2007 we should go a long way to seeing these new plants and operations realised. While no one development is a major jobs provider, they all play their part. We quickly amass more than 100 roles, and then there is the construction element too. Granted, these are not all local jobs, and obviously not permanent, but there is the local spend while they are here.
On what was chiefly a positive year, the saving of Courtaulds once again was a great way to end the past 12 months. Let's hope that this time round the company can progress towards the levels of success many associate with the fibre great in years gone by.
Perhaps this year we could see a resolution on exactly what will happen with the fish docks, and a furtherence of the commitment by the regional development bodies to strengthen and promote the key sectors of food, chemicals and logistics.
Then there's the environment too, and clean energy. So much attention has been given for the need to change our ways these past few weeks, and rightly so. Global warming and climate change are massive issues that simply cannot be ignored. Here again, this area is well placed to offer assistance, and the number of bio-plants and associated operations springing up is testament to that.
So here's to 2k7, may it be a happy and prosperous one for all, we here at the Grimsby Telegraph certainly hope so.