23.07.07
Cornwall's inward investment service celebrates the relocation of 80 businesses

Cornwall Pure Business is celebrating success in supporting eighty businesses in relocating to the region. The number exceeds the targets originally set when the initiative began in 2003.

Cornwall Pure Business is the region's inward investment team, a service of Cornwall Enterprise which has received investment from the Objective One European Regional Development Fund and Cornwall County Council. It provides support and guidance to those businesses interested in relocating. Businesses the team work with are in high growth and skilled sectors and also look to generate employment. The key sectors include IT and creative media, environmental technology, marine, food and drink, aerospace and engineering and medical.

Commenting on the relocation of the 80 businesses, Lucy Thom, Cornwall Pure Business Inward Investment Manager said: "Inward investment is critical to the development of the county's economy. We have assisted a variety of businesses with their move into the county and, as a result, over 480 high quality jobs have been generated to date. It's essential for the county's future that high skilled employment opportunities are created, which in turn will generate higher wage levels."

Carleen Kelemen, Director of the Objective One Partnership Office, said: "The Cornwall Pure Business project is an effective mechanism for Objective One investment being used to accelerate business growth and develop the economy by attracting a variety of new businesses to work alongside those already in Cornwall. As Cornwall continues to build the foundations of its knowledge economy new entrepreneurial talent can complement and strengthens the rapidly growing business base."

Cornwall Pure Business is also responsible for marketing Cornwall as a business destination to businesses in other parts of the UK. A large part of the project has been to demonstrate Cornwall is more than a tourist destination.

Andrew Holland, Managing Director of PALL Newquay chairs the project's Steering Group: "As someone who manages a business from within the county, I am more than aware of some of the inaccurate perceptions that exist about business in Cornwall. The Cornwall Pure Business project has gone a long way to redress the balance and demonstrate the county's credentials as a business location of choice. This is great for Cornwall and its businesses."

Andrew Gunn, Enterprise Manager for Cornwall at SWRDA added: "The business community has changed significantly over the past few years. Improvement in IT and transport infrastructure has been vital, as well as investment in initiatives such as the Combined Universities in Cornwall and business support have all helped the business sector to thrive. There is still a lot of work to be done, but we are seeing increasing numbers of businesses, of all sizes, looking at Cornwall as a viable business location. New investors into the county help support and grow the current business structure, which is beneficial for home-grown businesses as well."

The Cornwall Pure Business project began in April 2003. Its original goal was to relocate 78 businesses by September 2007. The project has recently received additional investment from Government Office South West and Cornwall County Council until June 2008 and is now working towards to the relocation of 96 businesses, generating over 1000 jobs over the next few years.

For further information please contact Clare Morgan, Media Relations Manager for the Objective One Partnership. Tel: 01872 223439 /07973 813647. Email: cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in Cornwall Pure Business through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Editor's notes:

About Objective One
The Objective One Programme has been aimed at regenerating the economy of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

About Cornwall Pure Business
Cornwall Pure Business (CPB) is designed as a red carpet service to target and attract inward investment in key sectors through a co-ordinated one stop service for businesses. The service helps relocators to source locations and business premises; grants and loans; secure IT, telecoms and broadband and provides advice on recruitment, training and education. Additionally, CPB is able to facilitate meetings with key personnel in local and regional institutions who can provide businesses with valuable input and further support. Cornwall Pure Business, is a service of Cornwall Enterprise and has received investment from the Objective One European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Cornwall County Council.

About Cornwall Enterprise
Cornwall Enterprise is the economic development service for Cornwall County Council and its mission is to achieve sustainable prosperity for Cornwall. It co-ordinates and enables partnerships and has helped to develop the economic development strategy for Cornwall.

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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