Working with the regeneration partnerships Renaissance Knaresborough and Yore Vision (Boroughbridge), the EDU helped secure £779,516 of Yorkshire Forward funding plus £275,356 private sector contributions over a three year programme to deliver a range of economic support projects. As a result:

- 19 business premises were improved via property improvement grant funding
- 144 training sessions were delivered to businesses across the district's market towns
- a multi-use shared space was created in Boroughbridge
- nationally recognised improvements were carried out along Knaresborough's riverside.

The Council's first long-term Economic Strategy was published in Spring 2010, following consultation with local business partners. This new strategy identifies Harrogate Borough Council's aim to generate investment, jobs and wealth for the district, based around six key work areas:

- Invest in infrastructure
- Build on sectoral strengths
- Embrace innovation and enterprise
- Capitalise on education and skills
- Target areas of economic underperformance
- Preserve and promote our heritage and environment

An Annual Economic Action Plan will accompany the Strategy and set out the EDU's work programme, to support the delivery of these key objectives. Continuing to liaise closely with our customers and partners will be vital to the success of our work.

With funding from its Small Schemes Capital Programme the EDU have supported:

- development of two work studios for artists at The Old Workhouse, Pateley Bridge. Additional funding for the scheme was secured from Yorkshire Forward's Renaissance Market Town Rural Target Fund.

The units were developed to a high standard,with the needs of small, craft-based businesses specifically in mind. Both units are now let to local craftspeople, a milliner and textile artist, both of whom worked with Business Link Yorkshire to develop their new ventures.

- extensive refurbishment of two vacant units to create three offices and two industrial units at the Phoenix Business Centre, Ripon. This new workspace has attracted a high level of interest, with three of the units currently under offer.

Opening in September 2010, this piece of public art will be on a monumental scale, enhancing this popular visitor destination and supporting the local tourist economy. Property and Economic Development staff have worked closely with local regeneration partnership Nidderdale Plus to deliver the project.

Major funders and supporters of this project are:
Natural England;
Aggregate Levy Sustainability Fund;
The Arts Council of England - Yorkshire;
Hanson Aggregates;
Yorkshire Forward;
Yorkshire Dales LEADER Programme;
and Harrogate Borough Council.

The Henry Moore Foundation and The University of Leeds - Yorkshire Quarry Arts Project also provided help and support. A true partnership project!

In its support for local businesses through the economic downturn, the EDU worked alongside Business Link Yorkshire and Craven District Council in hosting the Winning Ways to Move Your Business Forward event, held at the Harrogate International Centre.

Chaired by Harrogate Borough Council's Chief Executive, Wallace Sampson, the day included Meet the Buyer / Meet the Business Support Organisation and attracted 160 delegates.

A wide range of other well-attended business support events and workshops were also hosted in the district including a Designing Demand workshop, organised by the EDU in partnership with the Arts Council and Business Link Yorkshire.

Funding for two temporary EDU posts was secured in March 2010 from the Regional Improvement and Efficiency Programme (RIEP). These one-year positions will focus on collaboration and innovation in the Leeds City Region (LCR).

The funding will support Harrogate's work with Selby and Craven local authorities, to identify opportunities for economic collaboration between the three councils. Work will also focus on developing the business case for the city region as an Innovation Capital of international standing.

Harrogate was proud to play host to the first Leeds City Region summit, at the Harrogate International Centre, in November 2009. More than 350 regional and national leaders, businesses, academics, councillors and civil servants gathered in the town to mark the official launch of the Leeds City Region Pilot Programme, one of only two in the country.

One of Knaresborough's best-known and most prestigious buildings, Conyngham Hall is run commercially by the EDU, as a Business Centre and Conference Venue.
Providing office accommodation, business services and local employment opportunities, there are currently 16 businesses located at the Hall and adjoining Innovation Centre.

During 2009-2010, the Hall hosted almost 300 conferences or training events, for both public and private sector clients.

The EDU regularly gathers and monitors economic data on the Harrogate district. Key messages emerging from the year end data for 2009-2010 include:

- some positive indicators in the property sector, with house sales doubling and Council workspace occupancy remaining unchanged, at ~80%
- stabilisation of the unemployment claimant rate, at 2.2% nearly half the national average
- a decrease in job vacancies
- additional Council Tax and Housing Benefits claimants
- increased popularity of the district as a tourism destination, with a rise in visitor numbers to the Council's four Tourist Information Centres.

In partnership with Business Link Yorkshire, the EDU sponsor and produce On Location - a monthly newspage published with the Business Pink newspaper supplement and distributed with the Harrogate Advertiser Series. We feature information for local business on support schemes, funding opportunities, regulation updates, commercial property, training and events.

Our free Harrogate for Business monthly e-newsletter keeps local businesses up-to-date with local news and events. Sign up to receive Harrogate for Business .

During the coming year the EDU will publish additional newsletters for businesses, partners and Councillors, featuring economic statistics and other relevant information. We'll be in touch with more information on this but don't hesitate to contact us any time - details below.