Budding entrepreneurs and business leaders are being invited to a public meeting in Newtown later this month to discuss ways of boosting the local economy.
As part of the Local Growth Zone pilot, a joint initiative between Wales Government, Powys County Council and local communities, the meeting will try to gauge local interest in the concept of ‘Enterprise Facilitation’. 
The Enterprise Facilitation Methodology is a world renowned concept pioneered by Ernesto Sirolli, which could provide an opportunity for a project in Powys that will help the community help itself using a successful model established in Blaenau Gwent.
Powys County Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Councillor Graham Brown said; “The Facilitation project is a genuine platform for cooperation that helps bring local community ideas to commercial fruition. The project is not about recreating business support services in the community. Rather, it is about galvanising local people to help business ideas to become reality.
“We are hosting a launch event at the Monty Club, Broad Street, Newtown on April 30 when businesses, individuals and anyone interested in enterprise is invited to hear more about this exciting project and to see how it could benefit their community.”
The meeting will start at 7pm.
Last year the Welsh Government Business Minister Edwina hart announced three local growth zones with plans for new business-led pilot schemes to support jobs and the economy in Powys.
- Establishing the Sirolli model of community-based economic development in and around Newtown to support new business start-ups by nurturing local people through mentoring and enterprise facilitation
- A pilot, business-led initiative in Llandrindod Wells to develop an action plan to address the economic sustainability of the town with the potential to develop a Business Improvement District in the town
- Developing a local website network in Brecon to boost the town centre economy by increasing trade for local businesses and secure jobs in those businesses
