The Thames Coromandel District Council welcomes new Economic Development Programme manager Ben Dunbar-Smith to the team.

The Tairua local starts in the newly created role today and is being tasked to look after district-wide economic development projects.

Thames Coromandel District Council. Photo: File.

He will also work closely with council's community development officers and programme managers in the Thames, Whitianga and Whangamata offices.

Ben says he is really excited with his appointment and taking on the role.

'We live in such a fantastic place with great beaches, beautiful landscapes, an ideal outdoors lifestyle, and yet still so close to the population centres of Auckland and Hamilton.

'But in order to bring jobs and growth, we need to find ways of attracting people to come and live here permanently, which means working on innovative ways for achieving this.”

He believes the 'digital highway” is an important key to business growth.

Comparing it to the Kopu Bridge upgrade Ben says it's been important in creating a roading highway to make travel to the Coromandel easier.

Good broadband will fosters growth in businesses, ranging from the trades and tourism, through to specialist IT companies.

'It also helps attract young people. One of my roles will be to look at ways of improving broadband across the Coromandel.”

Ben will also focus on what council can do to make the Coromandel a more attractive place for retirees.

With Auckland property values soaring those of the ‘Baby Boomers' generation who are nearing retirement may be keen to escape the hassles of large city life, he says.

'I'll be investigating how to attract retirees to the Coromandel, rather than seeing them go to Bay of Plenty, Taupo, Northland, or the Gold Coast.”

During the week Ben will work out of the Thames and Whangamata offices and reports directly to Tairua-Pauanui and Whangamata area manager Garry Towler.

Garry oversees council's Economic Development activity and says they are fortunate to have Ben on the team as he has held successful roles in economic development in the past.

'Council is serious about creating vibrant strong communities and stimulating and supporting businesses.

'We needed to employ someone to focus specifically on economic development."

Initially Ben's priority will be providing assistance to existing industries like aquaculture, forestry, light industry and commercial development.

He will also assist mayor Glenn Leach's vision of establishing stronger links to the Auckland isthmus for Coromandel industries and crafts.

Ben has previously worked on business development for the government's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority

He was also responsible for raising third-party funding to support the Government's home insulation scheme.

Other positions include working for the Hauraki Coromandel Development Group, as well as being involved in promoting the growth of aquaculture in the Hauraki Gulf.

To contact Ben email ben.dunbarsmith@tcdc.govt.nz