It's true that some industries are struggling more than others with the challenging economic conditions. The region's rural areas may be different physically, but the business needs are just the same, they need streamlined support, new ideas and new blood.

Yorkshire Forward's Business Link Yorkshire has provided free support to thousands of businesses since its inception in
April 2008. Business Link provides free information to all businesses, no matter what size, or stage of development.

Business Link advisers work with businesses to identify development needs, suggest solutions and recommend relevant specialists. Free courses, seminars and workshops are run on topics such as managing cash flow and debt, and marketing on a shoestring. These are available to all businesses in all sectors and industries.

The farming and food industries have seen unprecedented changes over the last year alone. Crop failures and global food shortages have caused sudden and alarming price movements, while regionally agricultural subsidies are in decline. To combat this – Yorkshire Forward will be launching a scheme called Farexchange, connecting farmers and food traders across Yorkshire and Humber. The aim of this scheme is to develop sustainable value chains, linking manufacturers back to farmers and growers to secure future supply. The Farexchange team will deliver conferences, seminars and individual business support meetings
to offer practical advice.

Encouraging young people to stay in rural areas using their creativity and skills is important and Yorkshire Forward has funded enterprise hubs to help. The new state-of-the-art offices at the Springboard Centre in Stokesley, and workshops and units at both the newly renovated Richmond Station and Bedale Station, have modern facilities allowing tenants to concentrate on their businesses.

Broughton, near Skipton, is an excellent example of a place with new ideas and new enterprises. Once in decline, today the area has dramatically changed, with 50 businesses operating in quality renovated buildings employing over 600 people. It was last year's Yorkshire and Humber winner of the Enterprising Britain competition.

It is important that companies have an enterprise culture. Severfield-Rowen Plc is the UK's
largest group of structural steelwork companies and employs more than 500 people at its Thirsk base. It has continuously invested in new plant and product development. As a result of this, it has been responsible for projects such as Kingston Communications Stadium in Hull and Heathrow's Terminal 5. This demonstrates what can be achieved on a national stage from a rural location.

If the enterprise culture continues to thrive in Yorkshire and Humber, the economy of tomorrow will be stronger than ever. While the economy is currently presenting challenges for our businesses, there is a support infrastructure to help them in the region –
I would encourage rural businesses to take advantage of it.