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Economic Development
BIDs, or Business Improvement Districts, are a proven international model for driving local economic development and town centre revitalisation using an effective public-private partnership mechanism.
Business Lab has over 10 years experience working with all stages of the BID model, from set-up, to everyday running to expansion. With each assignment the powerful influence role BIDs can play in helping town centres evolve and thrive becomes ever more evident.
In partnership with Wellington City Council, Business Lab facilitated the inaugural Wellington BID Summit at the Michael Fowler Centre,
Discussions centred on how Wellington City's BID programme can be strengthened through improved inter-BID collaboration, council support and adoption of best practice principles.
Attendees were fortunate to learn from Dr Julie Grail, the UK's leading expert on Business Improvement Districts
Local economic development brings together a range of players to build up the economic capacity of a local area and improve its economic future and quality of life for individuals, families and communities.
We used their knowledge to create a plan aligned with the 6 key outcomes of the Waitematā Local Board Plan and that clearly clearly articulates whether the role of the Local Board is to Lead, Enable or Advocate for each initiative.
Business Lab was contacted by Aoraki Development to assist with gauging the support for an ultimately establishing a formal representative body for the Timaru CBD.
This was done in partnership with Timaru District Council with the aim of opening communication lines between Council and the business community.
After calls for the Masterton District Council to become more involved in economic development, the Council approached Business Lab to design a programme similar to Marlborough’s Smart + Connected initiative.
The council wanted to understand what the economic priorities for the region were and how the council, in partnership with industry could address each opportunity.
After a powerful process of engagement, the Marlborough Smart and Connected economic development programme was created.
Through innovative thinking, leadership within industries and communities was fostered and collaborative opportunities developed. This programme has been ongoing since 2012.
