The Government this morning announced nearly $2 million of funding for Southland in a programme designed to support regional growth.
Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy and Associate Tourism Minister Paula Bennett were on hand to make the announcements at the launch in Invercargill of the Southland Regional Development Strategy.
The Government would spend $520,000 supporting the primary sector, $950,000 supporting the aquaculture industry and $510,000 in supporting and growing the tourism industry.
Mr Joyce said Southland had a relatively small economy which relied on a limited number of industries. While the regional population was growing, for the past 10 years population growth had been significantly slower than in the rest of the country.
"Southland has laid out a clear and coherent plan to diversify the regional economy, grow the population by 10,000 people by 2024 and strengthen local business."
Southland Mayor Forum chairman Tracy Hicks said Southland faced a demographic time bomb because of an ageing population but he was confident the region was up for the challenge.
