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 What gives Cheshire its enormous scope for development and enterprise? Simply a commitment to continuous improvement. This means building on the past to carve out a fresh future, with no room along the way for complacency.
The county is an area of contrasts - urban bustle, a strong manufacturing service base, rich rural resources. The common thread which binds them all is a mission to boost employment, fine tune skills and exploit business opportunities to achieve full potential.
 This ethos is driving industry, energising commerce and shaping innovation across the county to help the many people who work here to develop, progress, excel and prosper. This can only be good for Cheshire as a county, raising levels of confidence and self-esteem to equip it for fresh challenges that lie ahead.
Achieving success is one thing - the hard part is sustaining it. In Cheshire the focus is firmly placed on targeting investment to create a firm foundation for growth and opportunity.
Businesses large or small each contribute to the health and wealth of the county as a whole - and every effort is made to create the right environment to help enterprise flourish.
 Today the county boasts a highly-skilled workforce, enviable standards of education and training, along with prime sites and premises with strong transport links. Yet success in attracting top-notch companies of world renown is no accident. It is achieved simply through opportunity of location, foresight and funding.
 To cater for growing research and development opportunities at competitive rates, prime sites house science parks for high quality laboratory and business use - with skilled back -up drawn from the wealth of academic resources housed in universities of renown and teaching hospitals.
 The county is home to top company investment: in bioscience by AstraZeneca, Glaxo SmithKline, Aventis Pharma, Protherics, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Osmatech in ICT services by Siemens plc, Entek IrdInternational, Sema Group, SurfControl plc and Geoworks. in the chemical industry by Brunner Mond, AstraZeneca, Associated Octel, Shell UK, British Salt and Hays Chemicals. In the car industry by Bentley Motor Cars Ltd, Vauxhall Motors Ltd, truck manufacturer ERF in financial services by MBNA International Bank Ltd, Marks and Spencer Financial Services and the Bank of Scotland in food and drink by Bisto Foods Ltd, Tetra Pak, Eden Vale, Frank Roberts and Sons and Bodfari Ltd.
 Research and grant information is provided by the Council’s Economic Development service to help channel investment, staff recruitment and training opportunities. Its External Funding and European Unit also offers free funding advice to voluntary organisations in Cheshire.
A broad spectrum of high-performing sectors contribute to the county’s many strengths: key areas of high productivity which boost economy include chemicals, car production, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, financial services and ICT (Information and Communications and Technology).
Add to this expertise in food and drink, life sciences and tourism to complete the package of skills. Just as importantly quality of life here has much to offer - high standards of housing combine with excellent lifestyle and leisure opportunities.
 Private sector support is a vital part of Cheshire’s drive for prosperity.The Cheshire and Warrington Economic Alliance has a pivotal role in bringing together local economic partnerships from a broad spectrum of public and private sector interests to help drive key economic issues. Through this umbrella organisation, members also have a voice through the North West Regional Development Agency. Business Link Cheshire and Warrington and the Learning and Skills Council each create further opportunities to help the spirit of enterprise flourish.
As part of strengthened European links, the Council has a full-time presence through its own Brussels office to aid closer working relationships with MEPs to benefit the county. Other interests include the Common Agricultural Policy and rural recovery, developments in rail and air transport, road safety proposals, the future of the chemicals industry, a Cheshire waste management strategy and the promotion of social inclusion.
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