First Published in the Worcester News on 02.01.2015
World Class Worcestershire in 2015
I would like to take the opportunity to wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year.
The New Year is a time to take stock but importantly to also look forward. As we enter 2015, we in the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, and indeed our various partners, are determined to keep leading the sort of strong economic growth across the County that we have seen building since we started functioning in 2011.
If you are now looking to start a new business or to grow your existing company, do remember that a wealth of help is on hand through Worcestershire.Business.Central. Many businesses are already recognising that Worcestershire benefits from excellent transport links meaning it is ideally placed to access overseas markets or to attract inward investment. Companies looking to expand through exporting in the year ahead should remember that guidance and support is also readily available through UK Trade and Investment (UKTi).
Looking to the year ahead, we at the LEP are very much focused on the delivery of the Government’s Growth Deal which includes the large strategic infrastructure projects that will benefit the long term economy of the County. Examples include the establishment of the Worcester Group Training facility to increase the supply and skills of engineers, work on further sections of the Worcester Southern Link Road and the completion of the Hoobrook Link Road which further opens up access for the South Kidderminster Enterprise Park. We are also working with the district and county councils to bid for additional funding from the second part of the Growth Deal which the Chancellor announced during December’s Autumn Statement.
We will continue to raise the profile of the County as a business location in the coming months and I do believe that 2015 will be a great year for World Class Worcestershire.
Peter Pawsey,
Executive Chairman
Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership