If lack of regional cohesion has historically bedevilled Hawke's Bay's ambitions to grow, we now have some glue that might help bring us together for mutual advantage.
Business Hawke's Bay was given a "soft launch" at new premises in Hastings on Friday night and one was left with the impression that this
group really does mean business.
Their aim is crystal clear: To grow Hawke's Bay.
They are prepared to do whatever it takes, whatever they can, to lure new employers to Hawke's Bay and to support and grow our existing businesses.
For some months now, the Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce has been busily working behind the scenes to stitch together a coalition comprising itself, private enterprise and local councils to form Business Hawke's Bay.
The old way of doing "economic development" - council-led organisations with limited engagement with the private sector - had failed, argued Chamber CEO Murray Douglas.
The collapse of Venture Hawke's Bay presented the opportunity for the Chamber to galvanise private sector support for a new organisation to encourage the growth of the Bay. Business Hawke's Bay would be fully transparent and collaborative.
It will be based at the Chamber's brand new premises in Hastings St and while being described as an "arms length" entity, it is clear that it is the Chamber that will really have to drive this initiative.
Business Hawke's Bay will be talking directly to employers outside our region and trying to convince them to relocate here. Alongside those conversations sits a host of other work such as agreeing region-wide support packages for potential new employers.
The need for this sort of lobbying, advocacy, even a spot of downright poaching from other regions, is obvious. For the March 2011 quarter, unemployment in Hawke's Bay reached 7.9 per cent, above the national average of 6.6 per cent.
It is very early days, of course, but Business Hawke's Bay will be keen to get some runs on the board. It would dearly love to confirm a new employer to the Bay.
For the record, Hawke's Bay Today is an official supporter of Business Hawke's Bay. We believe its mission is vital for our region.
