I am delighted to introduce you to the first issue of our new newsletter, Business Issues, which we hope will be an effective tool in letting you know about local economic issues and the work of your local Business Association.

Welcome! A New Century A New Name A New Approach Welcome to the Crieff and West Strathearn Business Association, your local Business Association. More than ever local businesses need to band together, so that collectively they have a strong voice - a voice that has local knowledge and perspective but also importantly, the capacity to work with other local, regional and national organisations and lobby at those levels on behalf of the local business sector. Over this past year the Association's membership and committee has represented a broader sweep of sectoral interests and experience, and this has been highly encouraging. The committee has worked to a carefully devised workplan, a deal of work has been systematically undertaken and this has yielded much fruit. Reflecting the wider range of business members we are announcing an addition to our name, to Crieff and West Strathearn Business Association, and I am delighted to introduce you to the first issue of our new newsletter, Business Issues, which we hope will be an effective tool in letting you know about local economic issues and the work of your local Business Assocation.

George Innes, Chairman, Crieff and West Strathearn Business Association

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF CRIEFF & WEST STRATHEARN INITIATIVE TRUST AND LOCAL RURAL PARTNERSHIP I am delighted to join the Chairman of the local Business Association in welcoming you to these new innovations on behalf of the business sector in west Strathearn, which the Rural Partnership has been pleased to support under its Objective 6 – business support and economic development. The Business Association has been a strong supporter of working in partnership between local organisations, authorities and agencies, furthering the interests of the community as a whole, and very much following the principles embodied in your area’s Local Rural Partnership, working for sustainable development, across its inter-related spheres. I hope that the Rural Partnership’s, and others’, support of these innovations will further strengthen the Business Association, already representing multi-millions of pounds of economic activity, and the local business sector as a whole. You do, indeed, now have a stronger voice on your behalf. Best wishes to all.

David Kerr, Chairman, Crieff and West Strathearn Initiative Trust and Local Rural Partnership

TO CONTACT US: TOGETHER IN THE ASSOCIATION BUSINESSES HAVE A STRONGER VOICE. MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION IS CURRENTLY £20. IF YOU ARE NOT YET A MEMBER BUT WOULD LIKE TO JOIN OR WISH A COPY OF THE ASSOCIATION'S PROSPECTUS, PLEASE CONTACT: THE SECRETARY, MR. GARY SMITH OR EMAIL: cwsba@scottish-towns.co.uk