David Ruffley MP is chairing a meeting on Friday, 25 February at 2.30 pm in St Edmundsbury Borough Council offices which will be attended by Richard Ellis, Chairman of the East of England Development Agency (EEDA).

This meeting has been set up as a result of negotiations David Ruffley held with EEDA chiefs last autumn following David's concerns that EEDA need to focus more support on the Bury St Edmunds part of the Cambridge to Ipswich business corridor. David obtained a commitment from EEDA that the Chairman would come to Bury to discuss what assistance they can offer. The meeting will discuss what support and intervention EEDA can give to David's constituency.

David Ruffley will be in the chair. Attending the meeting from St Edmundsbury will be Deborah Cadman, Chief Executive, Cllr John Griffiths, Leader of the Council, Gerry Massey, Corporate Director (Economy & Environment) and Nick Martin, Economic Development Manager. Also attending are Chrissy Harrod, Chairman of the Bury St Edmunds Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Robert Houlton-Hart also of the Chamber. Albert Cook will attend to represent MENTA (Mid Anglian Enterprise Agency).

In addition, David prevailed upon Mr Ellis to speak to members of the Chamber of Commerce to give them a chance to air their views on what projects should be implemented. This meeting will be held at the Farmers' Club at 12.30 p.m.

David said: 'EEDA exists to promote economic development within the region and I want to ensure that my constituency gets constructive help from them. Bury is a thriving community but we have to look to the future and attract inward investment. We must do all we can to attract young, growing and high tech businesses. By calling this meeting and getting EEDA to come to Bury to see and hear for themselves what we have to offer and our vision for the future, I want to ensure that Bury is kept in the forefront of their minds and not put on the back burner.

Richard Ellis is the top man at EEDA and we need to get his ear. I am delighted he has accepted my invitation to attend two events- one with the policy makers and one with the Bury Chamber of Commerce members. This is a first, and I'm sure it will be constructive.'