Mayor of Copeland Mike Starkie held the final Open For Business conference on Thursday and innovation, collaboration and community were key themes.
Two Council initiatives, Reboot and the Industrial Solutions Hub, officially launched with presentations at the conference and the 200 delegates also heard about the success of Copeland’s Young Entrepreneurs Market as well as updates from leading businesses.
Local Government Reorganisation was also on the agenda and the leader of Allerdale Borough Council, Cllr Mike Johnson and the Police and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall, joined the Mayor on stage to set out their collective vision and ambition for how Cumberland Council and Cumbria could look going forwards.
Elected Mayor Mike Starkie said: “This is about ending well. We’ve come a long way since I was elected seven years ago. But we aren’t stopping now.
“We have a year left as Copeland Council before we join forces with Allerdale and Carlisle to become Cumberland Council, and what a legacy we will leave behind.
“In Reboot we have created the platform for companies right across Copeland, and beyond, to come together to make a real difference with social impact schemes. It isn’t just about funding either. This is an opportunity for companies to offer their skills and expertise to help make a difference to the lives of others.
“Reboot will help us address the imbalance between the haves and the have nots, so there is more for all.”
The Industrial Solutions Hub (iSH) will regenerate Cleator Moor where it will be based on the Leconfield Industrial Estate. It will bring employment, skills and training opportunities and will create more than 700 jobs.
John Maddison, managing director of iSH, said: “iSH is an initiative of regional, national and international significance.
“iSH is about Making Ideas Work. It’s about creating the environment for jobs, employment, skills and training opportunities. It’s about entrepreneurs, businesses and industry coming together to collaborate and design, develop and manufacture innovative solutions.
“And most of all, through that success and business growth, it’s about making a positive difference to people’s lives and regenerating a community.”
