NETWORK BRIEF JULY

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Scottish Enterprise and Rural Economic
Development
OATRIDGE COLLEGE 6th February 2007 Stuart
Ogg Operations Director Scottish Enterprise Forth
Valley
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Content

• Context for rural economic development
• Policy context for Scottish Enterprise and rural
  development
• Scottish Enterprise rural priorities
• The Scottish Enterprise Rural Group
• Rural programmes and projects

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Rural economies

• in general rural economies face similar
  challenges as urban areas
• however particular issues include
• employment rates higher but lower GDP/head and
  wages
• out-migration and faster ageing in some areas
• limited (range of) job opportunities
• self employment rates 50 higher in rural areas
• traditional rural industries under
  stress/change
• lower percentage of high growth start ups
• lower levels of international businesses
• lack of availability of development sites
• business and individual access problems through
  lack of infrastructure
• rural areas vary with different challenges /
  opportunities
• 95 of our geographic area is classified as rural
• 1 million people in SE rural areas 75 of the
  total for rural Scotland
• around 15 of SE budget invested in rural areas

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Scottish Enterprise Operating Plan
Smart Successful Scotland Growing Business
Skills and Learning Global Connections Sustainab
le development Closing the opportunity gap Rural
Development Equal Opportunities
Achieving a.
Focussing on..
Metropolitan Scotland SE Network and partners
Delivered through
International/National
Metro Region
SSS Performance Measures
Local
Projects programmes
Leading to
Outcomes impact
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Rural policy developments

• The refreshment of Rural Scotland a New
  Approach (ongoing).
• Scottish Rural Development Programme for 2007-13,
  
• The revised Scottish Executives Forward Strategy
  for Agriculture.

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Delivery through PartnershipAn investment
alliance
Skills Learning
Global Connections
Growing Business
Private Investment (Individuals, Companies,
Industry groups, Trades Unions, voluntary
organisations etc)
Sustainable economic development
Scottish Enterprise Network - Investment catalyst
(lt5)
Public dependencies (Executive, Local Government,
Funding councils, EU Partnerships etc)
Education FE/HE Communities Scotland JC Sector
Skills Councils
Business development Research, K-transfer SMART/SP
UR/RSA Determined to Succeed VisitScotland
Infrastructure - water Planning Promotion of
Scotland
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Scottish Enterprise Rural focus

• Agreed with Scottish Ministers and the SE Board
• diversify and grow the rural economy in its own
  right through focusing on growth and adding value
  to natural assets
• maximise the contribution of rural areas to our
  national and regional priority industries through
  capitalising on the natural asset base
• maximise the contribution of accessible rural
  areas to the metropolitan regions

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Scottish Enterprise Rural focus to help
diversify and grow the rural economy

• Our aim is to enable
• a more diverse rural economy incorporating new
  sectors alongside existing businesses
• competitive, innovative businesses across new and
  existing sectors operating globally
• a transport and ICT infrastructure which enables
  rural businesses to compete effectively in the
  global marketplace and individuals to access
  opportunities
• the retention/attraction of young people (esp.
  graduates) in the rural economy
• locations for knowledge workers young and old
• high quality places which encourage an inward
  flow of businesses, people and ideas to rural
  areas
• sustainable, vibrant small communities.

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Rural and metro region development opportunities

• development of lifestyle/recreation/tourism
  opportunities - enhance metro region
  attractiveness to people and businesses
• develop and promote alternative quality of life
  locations for growth businesses
• develop and promote alternative quality of life
  locations for individuals, e.g. use of flexible
  and remote working
• maintain and raise awareness of the uniqueness,
  accessibility and quality of citys rural
  hinterlands that differentiate Scotlands metro
  regions internationally.

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Rural and Priority Industry Development

• Tourism
• develop and promote innovation in relation to
• Scottish tourism products such as golf, mountain
  biking and other adventure sports
• distinctive Scottish rural places such as the
  National Parks, Forest Parks etc.
• Maximising the opportunities of green tourism
• The recruitment and retention of staff in rural
  tourism businesses.
• Energy
• The development and exploitation of
• Bioenergy - particularly biodiesel and biomass
• Other renewable energy opportunities wind and
  wave power
• Food Drink
• strengthen existing links between FD priorities
  and Forward Strategy for Agriculture objectives,
  e.g. in relation to supply chain development
• develop and exploit products aimed at premium
  markets in the UK and internationally, e.g.
  health/indulgence and red meat

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Scottish Enterprise Rural Group

• Composition
• Industry experts, Local Enterprise Companies,
  Scottish Executive Environment, Scottish
  Executive Enterprise Transport and Lifelong
  Learning Dept, Scottish Executive Environment and
  Rural Affairs Department
• Remit
• develop networks understanding and
  implementation of the rural dimension of Smart
  Successful Scotland
• coordinate the implementation of the networks
  responsibilities in achieving the objectives of
  Scottish Rural Development Plan, the Forward
  Strategy for Scottish Agriculture and Land Reform
• develop and share best practice across our
  activities and projects in rural areas
• work with partners to develop a future vision for
  a successful rural economy in Scotland and
  understand how our approach may need to evolve
• raise awareness of the networks rural activities
  and impact amongst key audiences and
  stakeholders.

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Scottish Enterprise Rural Programmes

• Business Gateway Support
• help with revising/creating a Business Plan
• range of business diagnostic tools available
  (Business Healthcheck, Business Development
  Review)
• access to range of courses, workshops seminars
• market research via the Business Information
  Service (new markets, increase existing ones)
• E-Business opportunities
• Call Direct on 01786 463416 or visit
  www.bgateway.com
• Account Management (17 of all SE account/client
  managed companies are rural)

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Scottish Enterprise Rural programmes

• 18.2 of all Modern Apprenticeships achieved
• 18.6 of all Skillseekers achieved
• 23.0 of all business starts
• 85.7 of all Network investment products
  delivered
• Ref 16 of all households in SE area are rural
• 19 of the population in SE area is rural

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Joint LEC Rural Projects

• Planning to Succeed
• business and management skills development
• increase confidence
• Succession
• Interaction with other rural businesses
• Support growth of agriculture
• Rural Leadership
• Leadership skills
• Communication
• Knowledge of agriculture, food systems, policy
  making
• Current market issues
• Profit without Subsidy
• Workshops using profit without subsidy toolkit
• SE Rural Land Fund

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Rural programmes - LEC Level
Rural Enterprise Mentoring Programme Forth Valley
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Scottish Enterprise Rural strategic development

• Rural Futures
• Working with others
• SEERAD
• Scottish Academy of Rural Policy
• Strategic agreements
• Scottish Estates Business Group / National
  Farmers Union of Scotland /Scottish Rural
  property and Business Association
• National Parks

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• Thanks