Have your say on county’s eight-year economic plan
PEOPLE and businesses in Staffordshire can now help to shape an eight-year plan setting out the county’s economic growth priorities which will support increased prosperity and opportunities.
In addition to the main economic strategy for Staffordshire, people can also give feedback on a strategy for the rural economy which will play a vital part in the county’s future growth.
The consultation is open now and will close on May 30. People can go to: www.staffordshire.gov.uk/ economicstrategiesconsultations
Building on recent successes and Staffordshire’s resilience through the pandemic period, the economic strategy will help to strengthen partnerships with district and borough councils and other organisations, in addition to influencing central Government and attracting investors.
Main priorities are the regeneration of town centres, supporting startups and growing small businesses, ensuring Staffordshire has a higher skilled and higher paid workforce, supporting development of sites so they’re ready for business and strengthening transport corridors such as the A50/A500 and A38.
The strategy also identifies the county’s reputation for innovation, the importance of supporting businesses on their journey to net zero carbon and maximising the use of county council investment to unlock external funding.
It highlights how critical strong joint working with other councils, businesses, communities and other organisations is and how this can develop in future years. Recent project examples include the i54 South Staffordshire Enterprise Zone and the Stafford Western Access Route.
The rural economic strategy focuses on the growth of smaller towns in Staffordshire, tourism, sustainable agriculture, enterprise and digital connectivity. Staffordshire County Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills Philip White, pictured below, said:
“Our main economic strategy underpins how we as a county council will help to steer Staffordshire’s continued growth post pandemic, building on our strengths and successes and supporting our ambitions over the next eight years.
“It is a priority to us to ensure our communities have more opportunities through higher paid, higher skilled jobs. For us to achieve that goal we will lead on attracting major investment to the county – something we have demonstrated through delivery of projects like i54 South Staffordshire and the Stafford Western Access Route.
“We’ll do all we can with our partners to support start-up and small businesses which employ thousands of people across Staffordshire. Our plan also focuses on our key transport routes – working with partners to improve them and making the most of our superb connectivity.
“Our rural economy has a good balance of traditional land industries such as farming and forestry, as well as sectors such as manufacturing, construction, services, food production and tourism.
“Making our economy stronger can only be done through close working with businesses themselves together with our district and borough councils and other partner organisations, meaning we can secure more funding from Government more effectively and attract new businesses to the county.
“We want to make sure we’re getting this right and that partners and communities are involved. We hope people will take the time to give us their valued feedback through this month’s consultation.