West Midlands companies encouraged to have their say on rural investment

Businesses and investment leaders from the West Midlands are being urged to have their say on the future of our rural economies when a special Summit takes place in September.

The Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) event, which is being supported by Advantage West Midlands (AWM) and the East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA), will explore how public and private sector investment can be best channelled into releasing the potential of rural businesses, employees and places.

The recession has interrupted investment plans and many firms are experiencing greater difficulties in accessing funds. With expectations of tighter public spending ahead, the Summit will debate ways of tackling these challenges, assessing how rural areas are coping with the recession and establishing what more can be done to safeguard and create jobs and help firms and places emerge from the downturn.

Dr. Stuart Burgess, Chair of the Commission for Rural Communities and the Government’s Rural Advocate, issued the rallying call ahead of the event at the Dunchurch Park Hotel near Rugby on 11 September.

“The investment Summit is the third in a series of four that we are hosting across England and is an excellent opportunity for the public and private sector to come together to tackle key investment issues facing rural areas.”

He continued: “In particular, we are keen for businesses to attend so that we can hear firsthand what they are experiencing and what they need for the future to realise their potential.

“This will help inform discussion and will go a long way to outlining future action, new recommendations and influence key decision makers to ensure an equitable level of investment is directed towards rural areas.”

Peter Pawsey, Chair of the Rural Regeneration Zone in the West Midlands, will deliver a keynote address on the importance of ‘investing in place’, while Advantage West Midlands Board Member Michael Oakes will focus on ensuring opportunities are in place for people living and working in rural areas.

Delegates will also hear from Heather Gorringe, MD of Wiggly Wigglers in Herefordshire, the global winner of the Dell Small Business Excellence Award in 2008, on the challenges and strengths of growing a rural business.

Dr. Burgess concluded: “Despite efforts for improving life in rural areas, we are still hearing of businesses struggling with planning approval or raising finance that will unlock employment, housing and new business creation.

“This Summit will help to address these and other issues, whilst also looking at recommendations, including the possibility of introducing a ‘Rural Innovation Initiative’ to tackle technology and policy challenges.”

The previous two Summits have been on innovation and inspiration. A final, national Summit, will take place in November tackling the issue of empowerment and drawing together the findings from the series of Summits.

To reserve your place at the Investment Summit, contact 01242 534078 or email summits@ruralcommunities.gov.uk