Making Big Things Happen - The Economic Impact of the NWDA 1999-2009

Since the Agency’s establishment in 1999, the regional economy has undergone a period of dramatic change.

After a number of years of growth, the Northwest has built a strong foundation. This has been as a result of the region’s partners agreeing and delivering key priorities, to make big things happen.

Providing this leadership to turn priorities into real action on the ground has been the single most important role that the Agency has played over the last 10 years. Without this, many of the projects within this publication simply would not have happened. This ranges from driving forward the growth of Daresbury Science & Innovation Campus, reversing the decline in areas like Ancoats and Blackpool, and turning transformational projects such as MediaCityUK and the University of Cumbria into reality.

However as the economy has evolved, so has the role of the Agency. Our expertise has enabled us to react swiftly to events from the Foot and Mouth outbreak to the current economic downturn, which is perhaps our biggest challenge to date.

Our knowledge on what drives economic growth and where investment can have the biggest impact will make our role even more significant.

The past 10 years have been both rewarding and challenging for the Northwest economy. We’ve had major successes but there is still much to do if we are to emerge from the downturn stronger and continue to make big things happen here in the Northwest.