Economic Development in Penzance - Local Economic Development Office

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The Economic Development Office is part of the Planning and Economic Development Department of the Penwith District Council.

The main aims of the small team lead by the Economic Development Officer are to:

Ensure a comprehensive business advice support network with other agencies such as the West Cornwall Enterprise Trust and Business Link
Provide information on training for businesses through organisations such as PROSPER and Penwith College
Develop managed workspace facilities to offer ideal accommodation for new and small firms
Advise and assist businesses and the community on sources of funding and grant-aid such as National Lottery bodies and European programmes
Stimulate and encourage communities within the District to participate in the development of the area with organisations such as Cornwall Rural Community Council and the LEADER Project

Penwith Economic Council's Economic Development Strategy aims to encourage economic growth through four main objectives. They are to:

Support existing businesses and industries and encourage their growth
Encourage developments which provide wider and better paid job opportunities
Carefully relate the scale and type of development to the environment and character of the District
Attract outside investment to the area

The Economic Development Office encourages business growth through:

Targeted financial assistance and advice
Advice and support for job creation
Promoting the area to potential inward investors
Information on land and premises
Working with local communities to encourage community enterprise
Securing funding from organisations such as European Union and Central Government's Single Regeneration Budget in order to fund regeneration initiatives

The Economic Development Team works closely with other bodies and has been successful in securing funding for the area, both as the Local Authority and as a member of broader based groups, such as the West Cornwall Initiative. This comprises Kerrier and Carrick District Councils, the Cornwall County Council plus private and voluntary sector members.