Natural resources have historically funded Portland’s economy but continue to change and diminish from their position in leading employment. New industries should in time step in, but what is the best path to take in this transition?
Business and Employment provide the foundations for a community. On Portland the competing demands of nature and employment are particularly evident with considerable protection afforded to the natural environment. The consequence of this protection is limited availability of land for commercial activity and a measured management of the natural resource.
A successful Neighbourhood Plan should consider these competing demands within the context of the developing market.
Many factors will make demands on the local employment situation; changes in population, current and planned; potential changes to the business models proposed centrally; travel to work patterns and the quarrying and maritime legacies.
With the limited land use changes that are possible on the Island, any decisions on it’s prioritisation for business and employment may be a key factor in the Island’s culture and future prosperity.