Businesses

Economic Development

A longstanding and important departmental activity of the Napier City Council is facilitating economic and employment growth and development in Napier.

Developing the area as a leading commercial and tourism centre in Hawke's Bay is part of the Council's strategic vision.

As the key economic goal, strengthening the local economic base is aimed at expanding employment opportunities, achieving higher rates of economic growth and boosting standards of living and incomes. It will also attract more economic resources and investment to Napier.

Economic development work occurring at different levels within the Council includes:

• political leadership and advocacy
• policy development
• planning for economic development
• funding key local economic development organisations
• a 'whole of organisation' approach for particular economic development requirements and issues
• the role of individual Council departments whose work impacts on Napier's economic development

The Economic Development Department is the lead Council department for this activity. Its responsibilities include:

• administering the Council's annual 'Napier For the Time of Your Life' marketing programme
• directing Council financial assistance to key local economic development organisations and initiatives
• implementing the Council's Sister City programmes
• facilitating business development with visits, advice and training for new and existing businesses, supporting business relocation, assisting with export market development and business restructuring, sourcing investment funding, 'Be Your Own Boss' assistance and running the 'Business Mentors New Zealand, covering Hawke's Bay and Gisborne - East Coast' programme
• assisting to attract and settle new migrants through, for example, skilled labour recruitment