Telford to become a beacon of business
A drive to turn Telford into a regional economic powerhouse, bringing thousands of jobs and millions in investment, was launched today.
The town aims to poach companies from other areas of the country.
More than 6,000 businesses across Britain will be approached with the offer: "Come to Telford."
Telford & Wrekin Council aims to take advantage of the prestige brought to the region by developments including the £500 million Jaguar Land Rover plant and the new £250m Southwater shopping scheme.
The drive, dubbed Invest in Telford, was unveiled today to more than 100 businessmen and women at the town's International Centre.
They were told that Telford was determined to beat other towns and cities in the competition to attract new jobs.
Council director David Sidaway said: "We are in a competition – we welcome that, and it's a competition that we will win. It's Telford's time to step up and deliver growth."
Telford boasts more than 5,000 companies and 23million sq ft of available commercial space, including warehousing, industrial buildings and office accommodation.
And with proximity to the M54 and M6, together with Birmingham Airport, it is easy to reach. Businesses will be contacted directly and copies of an Invest in Telford brochure will be taken to exhibitions around the country.
Council's cabinet member for finance and enterprise, Bill McClements, said: "We are the fastest growing town in the Midlands.
"We believe Telford has a unique offer that makes us stand out from the crowd and ideally places us to become a top business destination."
Visitors to today's launch heard from economist Paul Forrest, Mark Thompson, managing director of the AceOn Group which opened an operation in Telford last year, Richard Howells of high-growth software firm Bronze Labs., and Stuart Boreham, the project manager of the Telford Manufacturing Partnership.
Special report - See today's Shropshire Star
