GDA Progress Update
The GDA became operational on 1st March 2021 when Cornelis van der Waal joined as CEO.
Since then he has gone arounds meeting with many people in the valley to identify and help develop sustainable economic opportunities.
The process:
At present a pipeline of more than 30 projects has been identified.
Unfortunately it is not possible to develop so may projects at once and as a result the GDA has decided to focus on 3 core projects namely:
1. Informal settlement business space
This project is aimed at helping businesses that are currently operating from garages and back yards to work in a more formal environment surrounded by similar businesses. The idea is that businesses that are currently growing require better and more formal business premises than what is currently available in the region. The GDA therefore has met with a variety of businesses in the informal settlement as well as the landlords of potential sites where such a business park can be developed.
Once the fila location has been identified funding will be raised in order to construct the business park.
The business community has further indicated a large need for training in business skills and in particular project management, financial management, human resource management as well as leadership skills. The proposed business hub will not only provide a premise for companies to operate from but also expose entrepreneurs to critical business skills. More partners are being sought to support this initiative.
2. Development of a light industrial hub
This project is aimed at assisting more manufacturing and trade activity in Grabouw. A piece of land of approximately 23 hectares have been identified and negotiations are currently continuing to facilitate the development of this property. It is estimated that it will take at least 2 years to complete the required environmental, social and road impact studies. However, if the development is successful it will facilitate significant additional industrial and commercial business space very close to the informal settlement. The long term impact of this development will be significant to Grabouw and Elgin.
3. Access to forestry land for commercial purposes
The national Department of Fishing, Forestry and Environment (DFFE) has long played an important part in the forestry activities around Elgin and Grabouw. The GDA has identified this land as an opportunity to help build the local economy and drive a variety of agriculture, industrial, housing and tourism projects in the Grabouw and Elgin regions.
More information to follow as further progress is made.