SENIOR council and business figures discussed Inverclyde’s new economic ‘priority’ status during talks about boosting trade and employment opportunities.
Local authority leader Stephen McCabe and environment and regeneration convener Michael McCormick welcomed Inverclyde Chamber of Commerce president Lizzy Todd and business development executive Corey Beaton, to Greenock Municipal Buildings this week.
They discussed some of the council’s key priority areas to try and stimulate the local economy and create employment opportunities, including support for new and existing businesses, and training to equip residents with the skills they need for the workplace.
Earlier this year, the Glasgow City Region Cabinet agreed that Inverclyde should be designated as a regional priority within the Regional Economic Strategy Action Plan to provide a specific geographic focus on addressing challenges facing the area.
Council officers and partner organisations will now work with City Region officials to develop actions to support Inverclyde and these will go before the cabinet at a later date.
Inverclyde Council was also recently awarded just over £11million from a Glasgow City Region City Deal fund specifically for building new commercial and industrial space or upgrading existing facilities to address growing demand.
Lizzy Todd, president of Inverclyde Chamber of Commerce, said: “Our meeting with the council leadership was incredibly positive and reinforces our shared commitment to driving Inverclyde forward. Being designated a priority area within the Glasgow City Region is a significant development.
“For the chamber, this means we can more effectively champion the needs of our business community, ensuring we are at the heart of the conversation to attract investment, stimulate growth, and create lasting employment opportunities.”
Councillor McCabe said: “We have a positive working relationship with Inverclyde Chamber of Commerce and it’s important that we have these regular meetings with the chamber to listen to the needs of the business community.
“It also allows us to explore ideas and opportunities to achieve our shared ambition of growing the local economy and creating jobs, including how we can maximise Inverclyde being recognised as an economic priority area within the Glasgow City Region in light of our socio-economic challenges.
“The discussions with Lizzy and Corey were productive and reinforced the need for greater and sustained investment in Inverclyde from both governments to help us reverse decades of industrial and population decline and unlock the huge potential of this area we all care so passionately about.”
