05 Nov 2008
Economic Development
Training programmes continue around region
Toi EDA continues to successfully run the Enterprise Training Programme and BIZ in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.
A four workshop series for horticultural owners and managers was held in Opotiki in September and was attended by about 24 people, who reacted positively to the chance to add to their knowledge and skills.
NZTE also provided funding to run Maori Trustee Training in Opotiki and earlier in the year through the Enterprise Training Programme, held a series of “Lean Manufacturing” workshops in Kawerau. Aimed at helping businesses increase their productivity, the workshops also encouraged valuable networking opportunities between business owners, some of whom are in competition with each other.
The BIZ network manager visited the Whakatane office in August and found it to be exceeding its required targets, which is good news indeed.
BIZ is a free service that provides help to people starting or running a business. BIZ advisers help owners access information and resources to develop and grow their businesses.
Beacon Business & Leisure Show
Toi-EDA is proud of the success of the annual Beacon Business & Leisure Show, which was established by the Eastern Bay of Plenty Economic Development Agency four years ago to promote business in the region.
The show, which this year attracted more than 6000 visitors, has grown immensely and is now handled by a part time organiser. Feedback from businesses who regularly take part indicate that the show brings tangible results, and many business owners see it as a chance to network and benchmark what they are doing in relation to similar businesses.
Another major success for Toi-EDA is the biennial AAA business awards which now has a new format where businesses are asked to complete an online questionnaire. A total of 100 businesses entered the business section and the community section attracted 23 nominations.
Horizon Energy Contracting now has naming rights sponsorship and an extra category for “Business of the Year” has been created. This year’s awards will be presented at a gala dinner on 15 November.
Communications overhaul
Following a stakeholder communications study conducted by Key Research in September, Toi-EDA has begun a programme aimed at improving its communications with key stakeholders, businesses and the community.
The new Toi-EDA website is almost complete and has been redesigned and re-written. An electronic newsletter has been designed as part of the website overhaul and the first newsletter will coincide with the website re-launch.
Trustees have also embarked on a large business visitation programme to improve their understanding of the key drivers of the region’s economy.
Eastern Bay of Plenty Tourism Strategy
A working group of people from the three districts involved in the tourism industry has been set up to develop a tourism strategy. The group has been working closely with tourism expert Craig Wilson of Quality Tourism Development in Nelson. The company established in 2003 provides specialist advice in developing the tourism sector in New Zealand. A draft strategy is now being considered.
Bay of Plenty Regional Partnership
The BOP Regional Partnership has won approval from central government for economic development funding of $360,000. The grant will benefit the Bay of Plenty’s aquaculture, food and beverage and marine industries.
Development of the regional’s aquaculture industry will include formulating a strategy to look at the best species to grow in the region, investigating the best technology to use and working successfully with iwi.
News of the funding came hot on the heels of approval for a planned 3800ha marine farm in Opotiki, which has exciting potential for job and wealth creation for the district.
The shareholders – Eastern Seafarms (54 per cent), Sealord Shellfish Ltd (26 per cent) and NZ Seafarms Ltd (20 per cent), have announced the first trial lines to catch mussel spat will be installed soon.
Government’s cash injection into the food sector will help develop new value-added products and high value exports and the marine industry will receive funding for a feasibility study to develop a dedicated marine park beside Tauranga Harbour Bridge.
Backers of the proposed Harbour Central Marine Precinct says it could create more than 520 jobs and inject more than $100 million into the local economy.
Aquaculture, food and beverage and the marine park project are three of the key focus areas for the Bay of Plenty’s Regional Economic Development Strategy, developed by the Regional Governance Group.
The strategy will be officially launched this month.
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