February brings the start of another month in which we as a Chamber finally hope to hear the announcement of the FID (Final Investment Decision) from Government and EDF, in reference to the keenly awaited Hinckley C project. It is fair to say that for the last five years, Bridgwater business has experienced a lot of excitement and a lot of frustration at the delays in reference to this project. What originally started as a £7billion project has grown into a £17billion project with costs likely to still increase before the final cost of the project calculated.

How can Bridgwater businesses benefit from this huge engineering project and how can the Bridgwater Chamber help keep some of the wealth this project creates within the local economy. The answer quite simply is that by working together, gaining the skills required and qualifying for various contracts, I believe our business economy can retain some of this wealth.

The Bridgwater Chamber holds regular monthly networking/information events which are designed to not only give the business community a chance to engage with each other and do business but each month provide some insight as to what’s happening locally and how to engage with some of the areas larger projects.

Bridgwater is undoubtedly on the brink of a boom period and with various business and structural project due to start locally, we would encourage Bridgwater businesses to engage with the Chamber and add their expertise & business input to help us create a strong and valued Chamber of Commerce.

March 16 sees the 3rd Sedgemoor Business Awards of Excellence being held this year at the new Macmillan Theatre on the 17th March. This is a Chamber led project and has been incredibly successful over the last three years and has given the opportunity for some of the areas prime businesses to be recognised locally by their peers for the excellence work in business. With help from sponsors such as Sedgemoor District council, Bridgwater College and other local businesses, we aim to make this year’s ceremony the biggest and the best. It’s not too late to get your company’s entry in, and be rewarded within the locally economy.

For more information regarding the Chamber or how to enter the Sedgemoor Business of Excellence Awards please visit www.sedgemoorbusinessawards.co.uk or www.bridgwaterchamber.org.uk

Steve Leahy, Bridgwater Chamber of Commerce, chairman