Herefordshire - the recently named Enterprise Capital of the West Midlands - is promoting the county as being much more than a rural idyll and cattle and apples - it is now the ideal location for new creative and knowledge-based start up businesses.
Herefordshire Council is the new regional winner of Enterprising Britain 2008 and working with local companies, the council's vision is for Herefordshire to be a place where people and businesses work together to bring about sustainable prosperity and wellbeing for all, without damaging the outstanding natural environment in the county.
Around 86 per cent of Herefordshire, which covers Hereford city, the market towns and most other settlements, receives a good or acceptable level of broadband service, which is a contributing factor to enterprise growth.
Councillor Roger Phillips, leader of Herefordshire Council, said: "Although it is true that some of the more remote hamlets and rural areas might be unlikely to receive a high level of broadband service, these are principally farming communities or areas where business is least likely to base itself. The vast majority of Herefordshire has good access to broadband but businesses are also increasingly valuing good access to one of the best natural environments in the country, together with a growing local economy and strong health and education services".
Although broadband provision is the province of BT, Herefordshire Council is itself promoting a programme to hook businesses into increased bandwidth services. While broadband services do need to be improved, many industries, such as software and systems developers - like Muddy Boots Software of Ross-on-Wye - are able to thrive and prosper. Timber frame manufacturers Taylor Lane also use information technology to design and market their products and services and advanced financial services company allpay.net is one of Herefordshire's fastest growing companies. Over 500 new companies have registered in Herefordshire in the last three years.
Other benefits, such as a stunning rural location, better quality of life, good schools and educational achievement, low crime levels, high quality workforce and improved health and wellbeing all contribute to the reasons why businesses are happy to be in Herefordshire.