City aims to be magnet for jobs after investment body launched

The city has revived its inward investment board, set up to attract new jobs the city and protect existing ones, after the previous body became a casualty of funding cuts.

Yesterday's launch of York Enterprise, a dedicated team to support local businesses and encourage new investment, came ahead of plans to set up the new local authority-business bodies intended to replace regional development agencies.

The newly-created York Enterprise replaces york-england. com, the former York and North Yorkshire inward investment organisation.

A complex web of overlapping economic partnerships is emerging in Yorkshire over Government plans to set up Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) which should see York and North Yorkshire become members of the wider Leeds LEP.

But Tory Group Leader Coun Ian Gillies, who sits on York Economic Partnership, said the birth of York Enterprise was more to do with the demise of york-england.com than it was the wider changes.

He said its predecessor york-england.com folded six months ago after its funding was withdrawn by North Yorkshire County Council.

"It is not really anything to do with the LEPs or demise of Yorkshire Forward. It is more a conflagration of circumstances, and this won't be the only vehicle for inward investment," he added.

The new team will act as middlemen between York Council and the local business community as well as making the city one of the most attractive places in Europe for firms to relocate to.

It will provide support and information for anyone who is considering York as a business location, is currently running a business in York, or is one of the city's many ambassadors around the world.

York Enterprise will also take the lead in close working between York Council and major companies in the city – to attract investment, generating new jobs as well as safeguarding existing ones in order to further strengthen the local economy.

Key to this will be the launch of a new website www.yorkenterprise.net, aimed at showcasing York as the most attractive business location in Europe.

This provides detailed opportunities and the business case for investing in the city.

It highlights the strengths York has to offer, particularly in terms of the city's excellent quality of life, and it also provides a tailored service for property enquiries.

Kersten England, Chief Executive of York Council, said: "This exciting new initiative reflects the council's commitment to continue building York's strong economy by creating closer working relationships with the existing business community and attracting inward investment to help create jobs for our local people."

Peter Kay, who chairs York Economic Partnership, said: "I applaud the council's renewed support for local businesses and new investment during these tough financial times.

"York Economic Partnership will be providing York Enterprise with assistance and oversight. It is key to the future prosperity of York that we look after the aspirations of our large and growth businesses.

"The whole business community will be asked to provide help and assistance to York Enterprise when encouraging new investment. This launch truly demonstrates the aspiration of York for increased economic prosperity."

The formal launch was held at the Lord Mayor's Business Breakfast at the Mansion House. Coun Gillies underlined it was as important to retain existing businesses in the city as it was to attract new ones.