Wolverhampton businesses have three new ways to stay in the loop about the work of the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership.
The Black Country LEP is offering a free e-bulletin service to individuals and firms, plus a regular blog from the chair and a new Twitter account, to ensure they are up to speed with latest business developments.
Jason Wouhra, deputy chair of the Black Country LEP board, said, "The e-bulletins provide all of the latest news coming out of the LEP and I would encourage local businesses and individuals to sign up to ensure they are aware of developments.”
Stewart Towe, chair of the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership and managing director of Hadley Group, has kicked off the New Year by launching a blog entitled 'Towe the line'.
The first ‘Towe the line’ is now live on the Black Country LEP website’s blog page and it offers Mr Towe’s thoughts on the role of the LEP, one year on from its formation.
"We are always looking at ways of communicating the work of the LEP to a wider audience,” said chairman Stewart Towe. "This blog complements other channels such as the website, e-bulletins and Twitter. We will look to share information and ideas as we progress through the year in order to keep people up to speed with developments."
The Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership can now be found on Twitter too. Businesses and organisations can keep up to date by following @blackcountrylep.
Nearly 500 individuals and organisations are already following the LEP on Twitter but business bosses are keen for more to follow suit.
Jason Wouhra said, "We would encourage people on Twitter to follow @blackcountrylep, where we will be posting latest information and getting involved in conversations about our work."
The Black Country LEP, made up of private and public sector bodies, was established in January 2011 to replace the role of regional development agency, Advantage West Midlands. It is one of 38 LEPs in the country and moved quickly to establish key priorities of work in order to support local firms and help create jobs.
LEP's work is focussed on six key priorities of planning, transport, business support & advice, skills & education, access to capital & investment and international trade. In addition there is a seventh priority around perception and communication, which includes a focus on the visitor economy.
The key areas each have a private sector lead tasked with pushing forward proposals and plans. And the four Black Country councils of Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton, have also taken on responsibility to support on specific priority areas.