Blue Crane Route Municipality
South Africa
Sector
The Blue Crane Development Agency (BCDA) was established in 2004 as a means of developing various economic and social development projects in the Blue Crane Route Municipality, part of the wider Cacadu District Municipality.
The BCDA has an agreement with the municipality to develop certain portions of land as well as redundant structures that can be utilised for project development. On some occasions the BCDA also utilises commercial land and structures with a commercial partner by establishing a Public Private Partnership (PPP).
The BCDA has now identified and developed numerous projects as part of an initiative to generate employment and stimulate tourism, agriculture and business development in the BCRM area. The following are a selection of key projects:
Aviation ventures
There is an opportunity for investors to establish aviation ventures on the Old Somerset East Airfield site, with a number of commercial plots available.
This opportunity is expected to result in a number of ventures being established on the airfield site, as it remains a fully-commissioned airfield with fuelling facilities.
Business owner: Blue Crane Route Municipality
Location: Old Somerset East Airfield
Establishment cost: R5m
Employment: 55 Temporary / Permanent unknown
Light Industrial Park (20 new industrial sites)
New business owners are being invited to establish their operations in a new Light Industrial Park at the New Somerset East Airport in the Blue Crane Route Municipality . Established businesses are also being invited to relocate to the park, to take advantage of the proximity of the airport as well as other businesses.
The Light Industrial Park is expected to make a substantial contribution to the local economy of the Blue Crane Route Municipality , in terms of the influx of capital, as well as the creation of job opportunities.
Business owner: Various
Location: New Somerset East Airport
Establishment cost: R10m
Employment: Full time: 20 Businesses = 200 jobs when fully operational
Construction Phase = 200 job opportunities
Fruit farming
A number of fruit farming opportunities are now available in the Blue Crane Route Municipality , for the farming of pomegranates, production facilities, juicing factory and export pack house, and a nursery.
The 6ha experimental plots have already been established and are expected to contribute around R900,000 annually to the local economy.
1000ha of commercial land has also been made available, and commercial growers are now being sought to utilise the land. An initial R20,000 cost is required and there is a R60,000 establishment cost per hectare.
Other opportunities include a Juicing Factory at a cost of R20m, a Pack House at a cost of R8m and an expansion opportunity for a Nursery at R500,000.
Business owner: Misty Mountains + Potential commercial farmers
Location: 6ha experimental plots - Horse shoe lands
1000 ha commercial land
Juicing Factory – Light industrial park Somerset East
Nursery – Horse shoe lands
Establishment cost: Experimental plot – R320, 000 (Completed)
Commercial land - R60m /
Juicing Factory – R20m /
Nursery - R260, 000
Employment: Full time: 1/ha = 1 000 jobs when fully operational
Part time: 3/ha= 3 000 jobs when fully operational
Rail tourism initiative
There is an opportunity to revitalise the rail operation between Cookhouse and Somerset East, as a means of establishing a rail-based tourism operation.
The rail initiative will also enable the transport of workers between the centres.
Business owner: Government/ Potential operator
Location: Old rail between Cookhouse and Somerset East.
Establishment cost: R3m
Employment: Full time = 10 jobs when fully operational
Construction Phase = 20 job opportunities
For more information on these or any other investment opportunities please contact the Blue Crane Development Agency:
Contact: Chris Wilken, BCDA planning,
marketing & tourism manager
Email: bcdac@lantic.net
Tel: +27 (42) 243 0095
