Economic Growth Plan will be launched at the Driving Innovation & Growth Summit

Cllr Anne Parry, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Tourism at Stratford-on-Avon District Council, discusses the importance of its Economic Growth Plan which will be launched at the Driving Innovation & Growth Summit in Wellesbourne on February 17.  

"Economic development in the district is at the heart of providing a springboard for fuelling growth across the region and attracting innovative businesses and entrepreneurs to reap the benefits and lifestyles that Stratford-on-Avon District offers.  

"And that is one of the reasons the council has organised the Driving Innovation & Growth Summit alongside the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) Growth Hub and the University of Warwick which is taking place at The University of Warwick Wellesbourne Campus Conference Centre on 17th February.  

"As a council we are pro-active and action orientated, focused on driving economic growth which creates a thriving place to live and work and we particularly want to attract inward investment from innovative and high-growth businesses.

"Stratford-on-Avon District Council is not just about tourism, hospitality and the arts - although these remain crucial to the district - but we are also focused on core opportunity sectors which feature exciting and expanding innovative industry sectors, including automotive, hydrogen, agriscience and digital creativity.

"We have secured a number of exciting speakers in these sectors to present at our Summit to encourage more businesses to take the next step in their growth journey and highlight how any barriers which may be preventing them from reaching their aspirations can be removed through access to funding.

"Creating clusters and a breeding ground for innovation and economic development is the way forward and Stratford district is the perfect location to achieve that. 

"We believe a bright future lies ahead with the development of high-calibre jobs for a nucleus of the next generation of dynamic young professionals that are attracted to the increasing number of high-growth businesses which are located in our area.

"By working smarter and more innovatively, Stratford-on-Avon District Council is confident in the development of a greener future which aims to meet its net zero targets by 2050.

"It is important that we provide the right environment, expertise and connectivity to drive innovation and growth which is central to our economic platform, and more will be announced in our Economic Plan at the Summit.

"We say we are open for business and we mean it."