|
City’s efforts ‘central to the saving of Viridian’: Mayor John Mitchell
Thursday, 25 June 2009
8:52 AM
Media Releases
City of Greater Geelong Mayor John Mitchell said he was extremely gratified at the Viridian result, and very happy for the workers whose jobs had been saved by the purchase of the site by the plastics manufacturer MHG.
“The City put in enormous effort behind the scenes to facilitate this, and the tremendous result that has been achieved makes it all worthwhile,” the Mayor said.
Cr Mitchell said that as a major part of the strategy employed by the City’s Economic Development Unit, the City had engaged the national business consulting and advisory firm Deloitte to conduct a detailed business analysis of the Viridian operation.
He said the City had put in $40,000 of the Deloitte fee for the project, with the State government contributing the balance.
“Deloitte reviewed all aspects of the business and its viability, and this cleared the way for Viridian to find a suitable buyer, and to remain in Geelong as a major, competitive player in an industry with huge economic potential for the future,” the Mayor said.
“The fact that we have retained an iconic Geelong business in such a landmark position is a great bonus.”
The Mayor said he believed the successful outcome in retaining Viridian would result in a positive effect for other regional industries, promoting general business confidence, guaranteeing existing jobs and creating new industries.
“The City’s Economic Development Unit has played a vital and ongoing role in the Viridian negotiations,” Mayor Mitchell said.
(continued over page)
“In addition to the amount of behind-the-scenes work involved, the Unit has maintained the importance balance between economic considerations and the need to keep State and Federal governments informed and involved in all aspects of the project,” he said.
“Viridian is now well on the way to becoming a great, long-term Geelong success story,” the Mayor said.
He said the City of Greater Geelong was maintaining intensive efforts to attract new industries and businesses to the region, while at the same time supporting and encouraging existing industries.
|