A property expert from Glasgow City Council in Scotland is to find a plan for some 100 abandoned factories in Butterworth.

Gerry Grams, an architect and city design adviser from Glasgow, visited Amathole District Municipality (ADM) last week.

"He was here to assess the declining economic situation in Butterworth, especially in relation to the 100 or so factories that lie derelict under the custodianship of the EC Development Corporation (ECDC)," said ADM spokesperson Gail Pullen.

The two-year partnership between Amathole and Glasgow is already bearing fruit for local economic development.

The partnership is funded by the Department for International Development through the Commonwealth local government forum.

"The Commonwealth Local Government Good Practice Scheme gave us a grant of R480 000 for two years. The funds are being used to cover the planning costs incurred by both Glasgow and the ADM within three key strategic areas," said Pullen.

The areas are local economic development, marketing and communications, and international relations.

Grams met with representatives from ECDC and the Mnquma Municipality before visiting some heritage sites around the province.

"Mr Grams will provide expert opinion as to how we could attract investment to the Butterworth area," said Pullen.

In a media briefing held at Amathole offices in Caxton House last week, Grams emphasised the need to involve all stakeholders.

"We are looking at developing a strategic plan that will involve all the agencies so that we have their buy-in on what should happen to the factories. Some factories may have to be demolished, others retained; some could be leased, some sold."
 

The Amathole/Glasgow partnership looked at five key priority areas:

In February last year, Glasgow sent a facilitator to train 13 managers from Mnquma, ADM and other local municipalities in financial packaging and business planning for local economic development;

In August, three weeks of SMME training took place in Glasgow for officials from ADM, Mnquma and ECDC;

In October, ADM and Mnquma staff went to Glasgow for marketing and communication training.

The fourth event was Grams' visit.

Last on the list will be a two-week visit to Glasgow to look at the role of environment improvement by stimulating investment and improving confidence.

This has been scheduled for March 2007.

Daily Dispatch
 
 
Publisher: I-Net Bridge
Source: I-Net Bridge