Joint media release from Opportunity Hamilton and Hamilton City Council

Opportunity Hamilton, following discussions with Hamilton City Council, has agreed to move away from economic development and instead will focus on business development activity.

The Board of Trustees for Hamilton’s economic development agency has been in dialogue with Council for the past few months around the change, which took effect from 1 July 2012.

The Trustees identified a need for economic development to encompass a wider regional mandate, alongside suitable funding, clearer objectives and the engagement of a wider group of stakeholders.

This blueprint for economic development does not detract from the role individual councils have in economic development for their own area, but provides for an independent role to coordinate and facilitate economic development with a regional and national view.

Opportunity Hamilton Acting CEO Rob Pritchard says: “Opportunity Hamilton trustees consider the organisation could no longer function effectively as an economic development agency and provide effective service to either Hamilton or the wider region. We will continue discussions with all stakeholders, including Hamilton City Council, around how economic development evolves in the Waikato.”

Hamilton City Council Events and Economic Development General Manager Sean Murray says: “Opportunity Hamilton’s refocus on business development is timely as Council is presently reviewing its economic development direction to determine the best way to foster Hamilton’s economic growth and wellbeing.”