BOOST
FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The Cato Manor Development Project is about to enter its final
stage with the implementation of the Business Park projects
located at three sites in Booth Road West and Central and
in Edwin Swales. The community represented by the Cato Manor
Community Organisation and the Cato Manor Development Association
are currently creating a Section 21 Company that will manage
investments channeled to the Business Park either by way of
lease rentals or sale of land.
Zoning of these industries has been suited
for the establishment of small manufacturing industry complexes
which are sensitive to pollution and with no excessive noise
in the area. This zoning has also been chosen in response
to the needs of the surrounding established businesses that
will be attracted to these projects.
Community leaders have all pledged their
support, and all realise the need, not only for a speedy
completion of the projects, but also for full cooperation
by all concerned. The community is expected to come through
employment opportunities when the laying of the infrastructure
such as roads, electricity and water, and construction of
the top structures, begins.
Further opportunities are expected through
subcontracting for service provision such as safety and
security and cleaning services and even horticulture.
For those local residents who have been
trained and show
potential for a higher level of entrepreneurial development,
further help will be forthcoming to enable them to play
a role in the Business Parks. In particular, linking emerging
entrepreneurs with established manufacturers has been identified
as the most efficient way of raising economic standards
among local residents
The key strategic objectives of the development
of Cato Manor are to create an efficient and productive
"city within a city" targeting principally the
poor and marginalised residents of the area; to provide
housing and security of tenure; to reduce existing infrastructure
and service disparities; and to establish safe and secure
living environments with ample economic opportunities.
In furtherance of its objectives, Cato
Manor Development Association is providing a unique opportunity
for the establishment of businesses and light industry in
strategically located business parks in Cato Manor.
These business park projects are part of
the local economic development programme being funded by
the European Union.
PURCHASE OR LEASE
OF SITES
The Cato Manor Development Association will, through its
project managers for the projects, Project Development Consultants
(Pty) Ltd, invite proposals from parties who are interested
in developing a site or sites in the Business Park. Such
invitations will be published in the Press and other media
and through wide representation of consultants in the property
industry.
Proposals would be welcomed from developers
and end users of property for sites in the Business Park.
CMDA will consider all such proposals on their merits and
will entertain proposals based on the Freehold purchase
of the land, or tenure based on long term leases. Proposals
designed to maximise income streams from property to fund
public benefit organisations under CMDA's social projects
will also be welcomed.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
AND EMPOWERMENT
CMDA is committed to increasing job opportunities for previously
disadvantaged people and following a policy of empowerment
of emergent entrepreneurs in all projects with which it
is associated. With regard to the creation of job opportunities
in respect of developments in the Business Park, a target
has been set of one hundred and fifty new jobs per one hectare
of developable land. The evaluation process of each proposal
will take account of the extent to which the proposal conforms
to such policies.
SECURITY
The Developers recognise the need for effective security
for occupants of the Business Park and will provide for
the perimeter to be well secured. The day to day security
services within the Park will be a responsibility of an
association of lot owners that will be formed to attend
to common services.
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
The people of Cato Manor are given the
opportunity to participate in these developments. Those who
are interested are invited to complete the "Expression
of Interest", and return it to CMDA. |