Business South partners with Council
Published on 24 February 2023
Business South is delighted to partner with the Waitaki District Council to support the delivery of key elements of the District’s Uplifting Waitaki: Hāpaitia te Waitaki Economic Development Strategy.
The strategy was developed by Polis Consulting working with the Council and Te Rūnanga o Moeraki, and with the engagement of the business community and other stakeholders. It sets ambitious targets for delivering economic growth and aims for growth that is sustainable and inclusive of all of the district and its communities.
An agreement between the two organisations contracts Business South’s Waitaki Business Navigator, Rebecca Finlay, to the Council for two years in a new role – Business and Enterprise Growth Lead.
“This new role will shape and implement transformational initiatives to enhance Waitaki as a great place to live, work, invest and do business,” says Mike Collins, Business South Chief Executive. “The agreement recognises both the Council and Business South have shared goals for economic development, growth and success in Waitaki, and we will be working closely together to achieve them.”
A core component of the new position will be to effectively partner and collaborate with business, iwi and other stakeholders across the district to ensure we prioritise initiatives that will improve the wellbeing of our community and enable sustainable economic development.
Resources to support the new role and initiatives have been secured through the Council’s allocation of the Government’s Better Off funding.
The Uplifting Waitaki: Hāpaitia te Waitaki Strategy was developed and designed with the engagement of the business community and te Rūnanga,” says Council Chief Executive, Alex Parmley. “To be successful, it will need to be implemented in partnership and we are factoring that into the design of the new Economic Development Agency.”
Mr Parmley says while work continues into setting up the Agency, the Council wants to get on with realising some of the benefits of the strategy for the district and our partnership with Business South is a great starting point for that.
“Business South brings a network and insight that will be essential to the successful delivery of our shared ambitions for the economy,” he says. “Rebecca brings with her skills and a great approach which I know will contribute greatly to ensuring we have a good start to delivery of our strategy and we continue to engage businesses throughout. I am really looking forward to where Rebecca and our partnership with Business South will take us.”
A new Economic Development Agency is proposed as a Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) to lead implementation of the strategy and community feedback will be sought on this proposal during April/May 2023.
Rebecca Finlay starts her role as Business and Enterprise Growth Lead this week.
“I am excited to help kickstart the implementation of the strategy to benefit Waitaki businesses and the wider community,” she says. “This is an exciting opportunity to ensure the district is well-positioned for growth and success now and into the future.”
Ms Finlay will continue to support local businesses with building strong networks and relationships, while providing access to the tools, resources and support they need to thrive.
ENDS