Business Hawke's Bay set for big launch

The announcement of ground-breaking initiatives to create jobs and grow the Hawke's Bay economy have been promised for the formal launch of Business Hawke's Bay (BHB) next week.

With interest in Hawke's Bay's new economic development agency burgeoning, the February 29 event was moved to the Hawke's Bay Opera House and more than 400 have registered.

BHB is an autonomous arms-length business unit of the Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce and sets a unique precedent in New Zealand, being funded primarily by the private business sector with support from local government.

The collaborative activity is aimed at fostering business development and business growth but is also focussed on the marketing of Hawke's Bay as an attractive place to start, grow or relocate a business.

A soft launch of BHB was held in August last year and since then work has begun on a number of market-driven initiatives to create jobs and grow the region's economy.

Business Hawke's Bay CEO Murray Douglas, said a plan was in place to "repaint the subdued picture relating to unemployment and projected economic growth in the region".

"We must see a lower unemployment rate here in Hawke's Bay and to do that, we need to grow a business rich environment, which in turn will create real jobs, based around innovation and success."

The Build in Hawke's Bay campaign was launched in December with billboards aimed at encouraging holidaymakers to consider relocating and building in Hawke's Bay.

It had attracted inquiries and been followed up with advertising in property magazines outside of Hawke's Bay. Support for the pilot scheme has been secured from local building companies and associated industries, including a number of lending suppliers.

Projects to encourage businesses to relocate to existing and planned business parks are underway and an action plan to grow exports included a China trade co-ordinator based in Hastings.

A website will be launched on February 29 together with a business directory aimed at giving swift access to more than 3000 local businesses.

A web portal will give businesses a one stop shop approach for advice on funding, training, career pathways, business support, innovation and mentoring.

The date of the launch, Leap Day, is no coincidence. "That's the sort of activity we have to do," Mr Douglas said.