THE weak economy of the last two years has highlighted the need for increased activity to support the economy of the county. To help aid Hampshire’s recovery the County Council decided to take a more proactive approach to attracting inward investment. The aim of the new ‘Invest in Hampshire’ service is to position the county as a world class area for business.
The Hampshire Economic Area is home to 1.7 million people – of whom 1million are of working age. Collectively, the area has around 69,000 businesses which provide approximately 780,000 jobs. Overall the economic output is around £35bn and on most indicators accounts for 20% of the total South East economy.
Councillor Ray Ellis, Executive Member for Economic Development, said: “Hampshire is home to an extensive business community and exceptional economic conditions for growth. We will be working to help companies discover what Hampshire has to offer, in terms of location, skills and business environment, that will meet their specific needs and make it an ideal location for them to base their organisation.”
The ‘Invest In Hampshire’ service offers bespoke information for potential new investors/employers about the area and offers advice and guidance to potential investors on information, research, funding, and other agency support.
The Invest in Hampshire website, www.investinhampshire.co.uk, is an important tool to attract the attention of investors, and gives an initial picture of what Hampshire has to offer. It includes key information for potential investors on:
- The talents of the workforce - skills and education levels;
- Infrastructure - communication links, ferry ports, airports, etc;
- Universities and Research and Development Centres of Excellence
- A live database of commercial properties and land that are available, or have good potential for industrial or commercial developments
- Key business sectors
- The endorsement of successful international businesses that have chosen Hampshire as their UK HQ
- The support available to businesses in the area
Councillor Ellis added: “The county offers well-connected transport infrastructure, world-class research facilities, a highly skilled workforce and an outstanding quality of life , a very attractive and competitive offer for any business. Within this overall package the County has many different facets with each distinctive part having some key economic strengths.
