Engineering in Durham has seen a big boost in recent times, thanks in part to the development of Forrest Park. This project will add 52 hectares to the Aycliffe Business Park industrial estate, which is already the biggest in the North East and is home to market leaders including Hitachi Rail. The development is expected to create 3,000 new jobs, and is seeing investment of £13 million from Local Enterprise Partnership funding.

Durham County is set to enjoy further growth and development, with the local government setting out a number of goals for the area's future economy. These include increasing the number of businesses by 4,300 by 2030 and increasing the GVA to 87% of the overall region's value by 2030.