County Durham eyes business growth with help from across the pond

An international partnership is helping companies from County Durham to promote their products overseas.

Durham County Council’s international relations team is instrumental in building partnerships around the world to promote economic development and cultural opportunities.

Its work with Durham, North Carolina, has seen the two areas come together to boost their economies, develop university links and take part in exchange projects with groups of musicians and young people.

The latest project has brought brewers from the twinned communities together, with four craft breweries from each side of the Atlantic partnering up for a festival. Brewers from County Durham have shared recipes for their own ales with their American counterparts who, in turn, have produced the drinks to their specification ready for the event.

Caps Off, Hops and Dots, Steam Machine and Durham Brewery will all have their beers sampled alongside four craft breweries from our sister city.

Graham Wood, Durham County Council’s economic development manager, said: “It is great to see that our international partnerships are supporting County Durham companies to grow and develop.

“We have so many fantastic producers across the county and we are really pleased to be able to help raise their profile and support their growth. In doing so, we are helping to strengthen the economy of the wider county, which is one of our key aims.

“We also hope that these events will help to promote more joint working with other areas in the longer-term. This will provide us with even more opportunities to raise the profile of local companies and the diverse range of produce made here.”

Following the festival in North Carolina, an event will be held in County Durham next month which will also raise the profile of businesses from Durham, USA.

Steam Machine in Newton Aycliffe is hosting an event at its community hub on 10 September, providing a platform for independent hospitality businesses. County Durham and American counterparts will be working together for the event, which starts at 1pm.

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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