Annual Plan for 2023/24

Promoting Prosperity

Make use of the competitive advantage of our location to attract new business
Support the growth of key employment sectors
Enable businesses to thrive with access to business support and key networks
Ensure skills and training provision is aligned to meet the needs of the local economy now and in the future
Develop our culture and heritage offer in shaping opportunities for tourism and investment

Build on the current success of the Horizon 120 Business and Innovation Park by selling the remaining site plots and promoting the development of the phase 2 land
Continue to develop the Witham Enterprise Units to bring forward new business premises for SME’s
Develop and deliver a business support programme based at the Plaza to help District businesses start, grow and increase productivity, especially in key sectors

In partnership with NEEB, deliver a shared prosperity funded programme of support focusing on
- Financial and debt management support and advice alongside signposting to other areas of financial support to create and safeguard jobs across north Essex
- Digital skills support to businesses across the district enabling them to grow digitally
Facilitate a series of employer led school visits/workshops to introduce students to new industries and sector course pathways
Support productivity and prosperity in our rural areas through the allocation of grant funding from the Rural England Prosperity Funding