Inward investment to help grow region's economy

Former Manawatu Standard General Manager Craig Nash is focused firmly on building jobs opportunity as part of a new collaborative plan to attract and grow business, industry and employment in the region.

Mr Nash will lead an inward investment project – a joint initiative of the Palmerston North City Council, Manawatu District Council, Destination Manawatu and Vision Manawatu – to liaise with industry, companies and organisations to target attraction and retention of regional businesses.

Vision Manawatu Chief Executive Elaine Reilly says the project is an assertive step to bring the Regional Development Strategy into action, and its success relies on strong and sound collaboration from the four organisations supporting it.

 “The process of building the Regional Development Strategy has empowered groups across the region to participate in defining and identifying not only what is special and unique to our region, but also where we want to be positioned in the future,” Mrs Reilly says.

“This is a bold new approach to addressing common goals to ultimately grow employment in our region. Mr Nash will be working with all four partners to achieve those goals where we have identified strong regional opportunities.

“It is a significant role which has enormous potential to add real value to our region as we focus long-term on the shape of our region and its communities.”

Mr Nash has spent 30 years working in Produce, Engineering, Print Media and Group Home Construction industries with 12 years of general management experience.

He is also Chairman of the regional Ginger Group – a collection of Manawatu Business leaders who provide accountability and a strategic sounding board for major regional goals.