Great news to announce:
Harlow had had a major vote of confidence today from the Conservative-led Government, and is to become an Enterprise Zone.
Following a sustained campaign locally and in Parliament the Chancellor has picked us to become a flagship new Enterprise Zone.
The town will lead the Government's drive for economic growth, by keeping future business rate increases in the local economy for at least 25 years, as well as benefiting from super-fast broadband, reduced planning restrictions, and other tax reducing measures.
The Enterprise Zone will kick start the local economy, and bring jobs back to Harlow.
In the Commons On 23 March 2011, I urged the Government to give the thumbs up to Harlow, saying: "Surely Enterprise Zones should be extended out of the cities and into towns such as Harlow, which has a strong scientific corridor?"
Local businesses and residents will delighted we have been awarded Enterprise Zone status by the Government. This is a vote of confidence in Harlow. It is good for jobs, and good for our town.
I want to also thank the combined efforts of local businesses, residents, Harlow Council, and hard-working Councillors, without whom this would not have happened. I pay tribute to all those involved in the bid.
It just goes to show that a strong campaign in Parliament and locally can make all the difference. In fact, this is all the more special because there will only be a limited number in the country.
I have worked for over a year with local firms, Harlow Council, and residents to make sure that Harlow is at the front of the queue to become one of the new Enterprise Zones, and I am delighted that the bid has been successful.
Our town has an excellent reputation for industry. In fact, we are one of the most entrepreneurial towns in England, as our rate of new start-up businesses is well above average.
P.S. This is timeline of the Parliamentary campaign to boost local business, and to keep a greater share of business rates in Harlow:
3 June 2010 : Robert Halfon calls for "Harlow Business Rates for Harlow People", and asks the Government to keep revenue from business rates in Harlow, to support town centre regeneration.
3 June 2010 : Robert's blog-post, calling for business rates revenue to be kept in Harlow.
14 October 2010 : Robert asks Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude MP, for Local Enterprise Partnerships to be kept "lean and mean", so that as much money can be spent on local projects in Harlow as possible.
28 October 2010 : Robert meets privately with Local Government Minister Bob Neill MP, along with Sunil Modaley, Harlow Council's Assistant Chief Executive, to make the case for Harlow, and to ask the Minister if more business rates from Harlow could be kept in the local community.
30 November 2010 : Robert presses Small Business Minister Mark Prisk MP, for more detail about the legal powers of Local Enterprise Partnerships.
24 February 2011 : On his blog, Robert writes that "Harlow is open for business". After a series of meetings with the Essex FSB, Harlow Chamber of Commerce, and many small firms from the town, Robert says that "bringing jobs back to Harlow is mynumber one priority, as local MP".
23 March 2011 : Robert urges the Government to extend Local Enterprise Zones to "towns such as Harlow", as Harlow has a "strong scientific corridor".
21 April 2011 : Robert welcomes Government pro-business policies, including Local Enterprise Zones, and callsfor Harlow to be at the front of the queue.
23 June 2011 : Robert says Harlow is an "ideal candidate" for a Local Enterprise Zone, adding: "This could be a massive boost for the local economy, opening the door to new businesses and potentially creating thousands of new jobs. It's a round peg for a round hole - the plans build upon Harlow's excellent reputation as a base for these kind of industries so I think the bid stands a very good chance of makingit through the selection process."
1 July 2011 : Robert steps up the pressure, for Harlow to be made a Local Enterprise Zone. He says: "There is still a long way to go but it's great news that the proposals have made it through to the next stage. Toget this far is testament to Harlow's strengths and to the incredible hard work that has been put into this bid by Harlow Council, Essex County Council and the West Essex Alliance. This is what the Localism Bill is all about; genuine communities coming together to fight for a better deal. To reach this stage in the process is proof that Harlow is open for business.
(Tbc) 17 August 2011 : Local Government Secretary, Eric Pickles MP, visits Arrow Electronics in Harlow. He announces that Harlow will now be one of two new Enterprize Zones in the Essex/Kent Local Enterprise Partnership area. This means that the town will benefit from exclusive pro-growth measures to get the economy moving, which include retaining future Business Rate increases in the town over the next 25 years, reduced planning restrictions and superfast broadband, among others.
Rob Halfon
halfon4harlow@roberthalfon.com
Harlow had had a major vote of confidence today from the Conservative-led Government, and is to become an Enterprise Zone.
Following a sustained campaign locally and in Parliament the Chancellor has picked us to become a flagship new Enterprise Zone.
The town will lead the Government's drive for economic growth, by keeping future business rate increases in the local economy for at least 25 years, as well as benefiting from super-fast broadband, reduced planning restrictions, and other tax reducing measures.
The Enterprise Zone will kick start the local economy, and bring jobs back to Harlow.
In the Commons On 23 March 2011, I urged the Government to give the thumbs up to Harlow, saying: "Surely Enterprise Zones should be extended out of the cities and into towns such as Harlow, which has a strong scientific corridor?"
Local businesses and residents will delighted we have been awarded Enterprise Zone status by the Government. This is a vote of confidence in Harlow. It is good for jobs, and good for our town.
I want to also thank the combined efforts of local businesses, residents, Harlow Council, and hard-working Councillors, without whom this would not have happened. I pay tribute to all those involved in the bid.
It just goes to show that a strong campaign in Parliament and locally can make all the difference. In fact, this is all the more special because there will only be a limited number in the country.
I have worked for over a year with local firms, Harlow Council, and residents to make sure that Harlow is at the front of the queue to become one of the new Enterprise Zones, and I am delighted that the bid has been successful.
Our town has an excellent reputation for industry. In fact, we are one of the most entrepreneurial towns in England, as our rate of new start-up businesses is well above average.
P.S. This is timeline of the Parliamentary campaign to boost local business, and to keep a greater share of business rates in Harlow:
3 June 2010 : Robert Halfon calls for "Harlow Business Rates for Harlow People", and asks the Government to keep revenue from business rates in Harlow, to support town centre regeneration.
3 June 2010 : Robert's blog-post, calling for business rates revenue to be kept in Harlow.
14 October 2010 : Robert asks Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude MP, for Local Enterprise Partnerships to be kept "lean and mean", so that as much money can be spent on local projects in Harlow as possible.
28 October 2010 : Robert meets privately with Local Government Minister Bob Neill MP, along with Sunil Modaley, Harlow Council's Assistant Chief Executive, to make the case for Harlow, and to ask the Minister if more business rates from Harlow could be kept in the local community.
30 November 2010 : Robert presses Small Business Minister Mark Prisk MP, for more detail about the legal powers of Local Enterprise Partnerships.
24 February 2011 : On his blog, Robert writes that "Harlow is open for business". After a series of meetings with the Essex FSB, Harlow Chamber of Commerce, and many small firms from the town, Robert says that "bringing jobs back to Harlow is mynumber one priority, as local MP".
23 March 2011 : Robert urges the Government to extend Local Enterprise Zones to "towns such as Harlow", as Harlow has a "strong scientific corridor".
21 April 2011 : Robert welcomes Government pro-business policies, including Local Enterprise Zones, and callsfor Harlow to be at the front of the queue.
23 June 2011 : Robert says Harlow is an "ideal candidate" for a Local Enterprise Zone, adding: "This could be a massive boost for the local economy, opening the door to new businesses and potentially creating thousands of new jobs. It's a round peg for a round hole - the plans build upon Harlow's excellent reputation as a base for these kind of industries so I think the bid stands a very good chance of makingit through the selection process."
1 July 2011 : Robert steps up the pressure, for Harlow to be made a Local Enterprise Zone. He says: "There is still a long way to go but it's great news that the proposals have made it through to the next stage. Toget this far is testament to Harlow's strengths and to the incredible hard work that has been put into this bid by Harlow Council, Essex County Council and the West Essex Alliance. This is what the Localism Bill is all about; genuine communities coming together to fight for a better deal. To reach this stage in the process is proof that Harlow is open for business.
(Tbc) 17 August 2011 : Local Government Secretary, Eric Pickles MP, visits Arrow Electronics in Harlow. He announces that Harlow will now be one of two new Enterprize Zones in the Essex/Kent Local Enterprise Partnership area. This means that the town will benefit from exclusive pro-growth measures to get the economy moving, which include retaining future Business Rate increases in the town over the next 25 years, reduced planning restrictions and superfast broadband, among others.
Rob Halfon
halfon4harlow@roberthalfon.com
considering the proposed exansion of old Harlow ( Gilden Way) could we give some consideration to upgrading Harlow Mill Station and improving the access to it from Old Harlow on foot please? I was appalled at the one seedy, lonely route we found the other day and advised my sister and 2 small kids not to visit me on a train! The alternative is negotiating a very busy roundabout..I think this is a no goer as a station atm.
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