The District Development Board is a sub-committee of the Clutha District Council.

The Board’s budget is set through the Annual Plan process, but once set is managed directly by the Board and its staff. The Board also has the ability to seek Council approval for expenditure outside the budget.

Services for the Board are provided by the District Development Manager with administrative support from within the Council.  Some work is also contracted out to community based organisations that would give a better result than an in-house approach would.

The Board meets six-weekly, and its meetings are open to the public except where necessary to protect a person’s commercial position.

The Board's goals include:

• To retain the existing industry and employment base

• To encourage additional output from existing industry

• To promote new business development and employment creation

• To encourage co-operation and co-ordination within sectors and across communities of the Clutha District

• To identify resources and opportunities across all sectors including the development of the visitor industry in the district

• To increase levels of business confidence and community wellbeing

• To promote the entrepreneurial element in the District.

Activities of the Board

• The Board’s activities fall into four categories:

• Agricultural sector

• Business

• Tourism and Promotion

• Community and Youth Development

The Board promotes development in these areas in different ways:

The Board contracts organisations such as Enterprise Clutha and the Clutha Agricultural Development Board. These provide much of the "on ground" district development services in the district. The Board only provides typically 20-35% of the costs of these organisations, with other funding coming from sources such as central government, membership and projects.

The District Development Manager works closely with contracted organisations, providing assistance, liaison, facilitation etc for specific businesses, organisations and individuals. The District Development Manager also works with the Board addressing strategic issues which apply across an industry or area.

Development House

The Clutha Agricultural Development Board focuses on programmes and initiatives to support the farming community.

The Community Coordinator’s role is to liaise with the people of our community to help them develop programmes and projects that meet their needs and also benefit the community in some way

Enterprise Clutha is a trust established to promote stronger, sustainable communities through business success, innovation and entrepreneurial activity. Enterprise Clutha is responsible for the delivery of a youth programme for the District and in partnership with the District Development Board, the development of the Tourism Strategy for the Clutha District.

Regional Development

The Board is a member of Otago Forward, a joint Otago-wide economic development body.  Otago Forward provides a unified voice on common issues, information sharing, and facilitates joint projects.