Yesterday (Wednesday) City of Wolverhampton attended an event for the West Midlands Forum for Growth, held at the Vox Centre in Birmingham.
It was a one day conference bringing together public and private sector leaders to engage and discuss the key issues in driving the West Midlands economy forward. Wolverhampton joined with fellow Combined Authority Local Authorities, and their Chief Executives. Keith Ireland Wolverhampton’s Managing Director sat on one of the panel events to debate key issues around growing the region’s economy.
Addressing a full house, Mr Ireland discussed the opportunities and challenges and Wolverhampton’s collaborative approach to realising the potential of our City’s ambitions for the region.
The City of Wolverhampton presented on two major investment opportunities, the Interchange commercial quarter and the Canalside project. Both projects are a key part of Wolverhampton’s masterplan for the city and the event was an excellent platform to share our City’s ambitious plans to transform itself and enrich the lives of its citizens.
Councillor Phil Bateman said ” I didn’t attend the West Midlands Forum for Growth but I think it is immensely important that Wolverhampton takes a place on the top table for events like this.
I am particularly pleased that the City chose to highlight the economy and the Interchange Project and the Wolverhampton Canalside Quarter, as projects that are looking for private investors.
Today I attended the West Midlands Partnership of the Canal & River Trust in Sandwell, where I spoke about the importance that Local Authorities were placing on canals now. I spoke up about the potential that Local Authorities (including Wolverhampton) see in canals.
I told them about our own Canalside project,and I urged the partners in the room to take a look at the Black Country Core Study.
I urged The West Midlands Partnership and the CRT to play a full role in the current Black Country Study which was taking place. If canals and what they have to offer are to truly make an impact in the regeneration of our area. More has to be done to speak up about their potential, especially when it comes to regeneration and transport delivery.
Canals may have been around in excess of 200 years, but they are still very much an ingredient in developing a modern and welcoming environment for homes, business, and leisure!””
