Between 2022 and 2025, the Canton of Neuchâtel’s Department of Economic Affairs supported 107 projects at 102 companies with 14 million francs, generating 115 million in private investment—a leverage effect of 8.2. Achieved amid a particularly challenging international environment, this four-year report demonstrates the canton’s ability to mobilize public resources in a targeted manner to enhance its competitiveness and economic attractiveness.
The 2022–2025 period unfolded against a backdrop of significant turbulence: the aftermath of the health crisis, geopolitical tensions, the appreciation of the franc, and rising energy costs. In this context, the Department of Economic Affairs (NECO) continued its work by focusing on four strategic priorities—Innovation, Integration, Business Expansion, and Image—which were broken down into sixteen key measures under the Economic Development Support Act (LADE).
Leverage is the defining indicator of this period: for every franc allocated by the canton, the supported companies invested 8.2 francs—a ratio that reached 20.6 for technological innovation projects alone in 2025. This effort was also supported by the instruments of the New Regional Policy (NRP), a federal funding mechanism that supports regional and collective projects by combining grants and loans, with each cantonal franc committed being matched in equal parts by a federal franc. Over the 2022–2025 period, NPR loans totaled 30.8 million francs, generating 107.9 million in private investment.
This support has helped maintain and create skilled jobs, with 2,882 full-time equivalents in the supported companies and 673 new positions planned over five years.
“A thriving economy only makes sense if it tangibly improves the quality of life for the entire population. These past four years have confirmed that investing in innovation and in our businesses is also an investment in the social cohesion of our canton.”
says Florence Nater, State Councilor and head of the Department of Economy and Social Cohesion.
Key initiatives shaping the canton’s future
Beyond the numbers, this period was marked by several achievements with lasting impact. In terms of innovation, the MTTA (Métiers du Temps | Time Arts) project was recognized by the federal government as a research infrastructure of national importance, and CSEM received 3 million francs in funding to modernize its semiconductor manufacturing line. In terms of business expansion, 56 new companies from outside the canton established operations here, while 62 work permit applications for highly qualified professionals were processed.
Faced with growing pressure on commercial real estate, the Department of Economic Affairs has launched a strategy to increase density and redevelop existing sites, notably by actively participating in the JD7 project in Neuchâtel (opening in 2027), the Usines project in Serrières (2026), and the HDV7 project in Le Locle (2028). Finally, internationalization efforts were revitalized with four economic missions conducted in 2025 to the United Arab Emirates, China, Spain, and Canada, bringing together 44 entities from Neuchâtel under the new economic promotion brand “invest Neuchâtel.”