Bay of Plenty receives $390k boost to industry | Bay of Plenty News | Local News in Bay of Plenty

The Bay of Plenty economy has received a $390,000 boost from the Government for projects in the forestry, aquaculture, energy and supply chain industries.

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise granted the money through the Bay of Connections Regional Governance Group, chaired by Bay of Plenty Regional Councillor John Cronin.

It is the second grant of its kind in two years - $360,000 was received in 2008.

Mr Cronin said the region received the new funds because the economic development agencies and Bay of Plenty Regional Council had delivered good results, and NZTE believed that the projects proposed for the next 12 to 18 months would "add real value".

"Over the long term, these projects will not just contribute to the local economy, but will be significant at a national level," he said. "We could have the largest aquaculture farm in New Zealand. We could be one of the country's largest energy producers and exporters, and be a world-class producer of high-value forestry products."

The projects were agreed on by the Regional Governance Group and the economic development agencies. They cover:

• Aquaculture - to establish a Regional Aquaculture Organisation and operating procedures, develop a region-wide profile of the emerging aquaculture industry, future infrastructure needs and industry directory, develop a preliminary business case for the Opotiki Harbour development and a communications plan.
• Energy - to establish an Energy Advisory Group and to complete the Strategy and Action Plan, and hold a regional energy forum.
• Forestry and Wood Processing - to develop a Strategy and Action Plan and work with land and forestry owners to get value from forestry.
• Supply Chain and Logistics - to investigate regional logistics and supply chain to ensure a world-class, cost effective, efficient freight movement system to, from and around the Bay of Plenty.
• Review Bay of Connections and update the Action Plan, carrying out an in-depth analysis into a number of sectors.

Advisory groups for these projects will be established.