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Opportunity hamilton

3 June 2009

New Economic Development Agency Capturing Hamilton Business Opportunities

Hamilton Mayor, Bob Simcock, tonight launched the city’s new economic development agency, Opportunity Hamilton.

The organisation is working with entrepreneurs and business owners who are starting-up, growing and relocating businesses in the city.

CEO, Sandra Perry, says Opportunity Hamilton is building on 20 years of experience offering business assistance to local companies.

“Opportunity Hamilton already boasts a solid business support foundation created under our former umbrella, the Business Development Centre. Our team has over twenty years of experience helping thousands of people to start-up and grow their businesses in and around Hamilton. We’ve done this through offering business coaching, training and high-impact support programmes.

“Moving forward we’re now building on this experience and adding new services. In particular, we are focusing on helping businesses relocate and set up companies in Hamilton. We’re actively selling the features of Hamilton as an ideal business location for entrepreneurs just starting out, or businesses relocating existing companies,” explains Mrs Perry.

At the 3 June launch function held at The Grandstand, Opportunity Hamilton unveiled to business leaders in attendance the newest marketing tool aimed at enticing businesses and skilled people to the city. The Gateway Magazine – produced by Waikato Business Publications - is a 100-page booklet promoting the business and lifestyle benefits of Hamilton and the surrounding region.

“The Gateway Magazine is one example of the type of marketing activity Opportunity Hamilton is undertaking to bring businesses and talented people to the city and region. We’re working with a variety of organisations who will use the booklet to educate people within New Zealand and overseas about Hamilton’s positive features,” says Mrs Perry.

Mrs Perry also outlines that Opportunity Hamilton is playing an active role supporting Hamilton International Airport as it sets up a new regional tourism organisation. The organisation is also helping to grow exports and job opportunities within the Waikato aviation industry through its work with the Waikato Aviation Cluster.

Opportunity Hamilton has invested in a comprehensive website portal - www.opportunityhamilton.co.nz - to help local companies find the support they require to move their businesses forward. The website also has an extensive section targeted at domestic and international business owners and entrepreneurs considering relocation to Hamilton.

Opportunity Hamilton is funded, in part, by Hamilton City Council, New Zealand Trade & Enterprise, Work & Income NZ and the Young Enterprise Trust.

www.opportunityhamilton.co.nz

-ENDS-

Media Contact:
Sandra Perry, CEO
Opportunity Hamilton
Sandra@opportunityhamilton.co.nz
07 959 8693
021 849 901

 Opportunity hamilton Opportunity hamilton
 Hamilton is located close to both of New Zealand’s major ports at Auckland and Tauranga.  Three tertiary institutions, - The University of Waikato, Wintec and Te Wananga o Aotearoa are located in Hamilton.  The University of Waikato generates three percent of the region’s total revenue and nearly $1 billion for the New Zealand economy as a whole.  Hamilton is a student city, with more than 46,000 people in tertiary study.  The ultra fast broadband rollout has begun in Hamilton. It is expected to boost economic growth by 1.3%.  Hamilton's $68.4 million Claudelands Convention and Exhibition Centre includes a 5,000-capacity multipurpose indoor arena, 1,500-capacity conference centre and upgraded exhibition facilities.   Hamilton is the second fastest growing population centre in New Zealand behind Auckland.  Hamilton is New Zealand’s largest inland city, and fourth largest urban area.  Hamilton is on the main tourist route between Auckland and Taupo. Hamilton is the heart of the Waikato.  Hamilton has a land area of 98.6 km2 (New Zealand's smallest city in terms of land area).  The average age in Hamilton is 31.3 years compared to 35.9 years nationally.  Hamilton has a youthful population - around half of residents are under 30 years old.  Research and development plays an important part in Hamilton's economy - the city is home to more than 100 PhD scientists  Hamilton is known as New Zealand's science capital and is an ideal place to become involved with forward-thinking innovators.  Hamilton's sister cities are Sacramento, USA, Saitama, Japan and Wuxi in People's Republic of China.  Hamilton's location in New Zealand's growth triangle - Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty - make it a hotbed of economic growth.  The website www.investwaikato.com matches global investors, suppliers or partners with Waikato business owners looking for connections.  Dairy farming is at the heart of the region, with today's agricultural developments centred on high-tech innovations within the biotechnology, new foods, sensor and software sectors.  The World Bank's Ease of Business Survey 2011 ranked New Zealand an impressive third of 138 OECD economies and first for both starting a business and protecting investors.  Waikato is known for equine excellence, with the highest number of horses per region in New Zealand.  Most horses bred in the region are for export, with thoroughbred horse exports totaling about $160 million annually.