A new alliance of rural and market towns in Horsham District will bring together business and community leaders to represent local economic interests, enhance collaboration and influence wider strategic opportunities for their shared benefit.
The Rural & Market Towns Economic Alliance (RMTEA) will give a powerful voice to local businesses at a time of major local government reorganisation. The new group will comprise of volunteers selected for their passion and experience to represent businesses and deliver impactful projects in collaboration with Horsham District Council.
Coast to Capital, the former Local Enterprise Partnership for the region, and now a not-for-profit social enterprise supporting the public and private sector deliver economic development, is supporting Horsham District Council to deliver the initiative.
Councillor Jonathan Taylor, Cabinet Member for Enterprise and Property at Horsham District Council, said:
Businesses in our rural areas and market towns form the backbone of our local economy so it is really important that we give them as much support as possible.
I believe that the development of this unique alliance will be key in giving rural businesses a voice.
It will facilitate better collaboration on shared priorities, greater influence on regional decisions and will help organisations benefit from joint funding bids and marketing initiatives.
Through this collaborative approach, we can enhance the long-term resilience of the District’s rural and market towns. The initiative takes on added significance in light of the forthcoming local government reorganisation.
Coast to Capital’s Managing Director, Anthony Middleton, said:
It’s a privilege to work with such a forward-thinking district council that is focused on empowering local business communities. In the context of local government reorganisation and new devolution settlements.
Initiatives like the Rural & Market Towns Economic Alliance will ensure that smaller towns and rural areas have a more powerful voice during forthcoming changes and into the future.
