Opinion: GREAT new focus for GREAT SOUTH

This week has signalled the start of an exciting new chapter in our region’s development with Great South established to lead Southland into the future.

In 2015 it was identified that in order to encourage Southland’s future prosperity a renewed focus was needed to grow Southland’s culture and lifestyle, economic diversity and overall population.  This week we’ve seen the fruition of this focus with the newly established regional development agency set to tackle the challenges identified in the Southland regional development strategy and encourage the development of a more connected, contemporary and competitive Southland region.

We’re excited for where this new chapter will lead to and see many benefits in the commercial focus that the agency will be adopting, it has potential to be a real game changer for Southland.   This approach will not only encourage wider investment for projects and initiatives that support the region’s growth, but also help to strengthen our local business sector who will benefit from the opportunities that will be identified and developed across the Southland region.

The establishment of this agency is significant and emphasises a change of direction for the Southland region – one we think is for the better. We’re looking forward to working alongside Great South and supporting their vision of creating better lives through sustainable development. There’s unlimited potential and endless opportunities in Southland and with a new regional development agency established we’re positioning ourselves to make the most of them!

Neil McAra, Board Chair of the Chamber of Commerce Southland.

Watch the Great South video.