Council Commissions Economic Development Research

Hamilton City Council has commissioned a new research of its economic development initiatives as it strives to maximise the benefit from its range of investments.

The research, part of the ongoing 10-Year Plan process, will be undertaken by University of Waikato’s Institute of Business Research, and examine how Council stimulates economic growth through various parts of its business.

Blair Bowcott, Council’s Deputy Chief Executive, said the research would be an assessment of Council’s current economic development-related entities, assets and initiatives, including its support of Opportunity Hamilton, Innovation Park and Soda, as well as its investment in facilities such as Claudelands and landholdings in the CBD.

Mr Bowcott said Council had a number of economic levers available to stimulate growth, and wanted clarity around how and where it could channel resources and funding. The research would also give Council a better idea of appropriate funding, governance, ownership structure for its assets and business interests, and also which sectors could be identified as “growth engines” for the city.

Hamilton Mayor Julie Hardaker said: “It’s important for Council to have thorough understanding of where and how it invests to stimulate more economic growth in the city. We are working on an Economic Development Strategy, and having this information at hand will be crucial to that.”