There has been an influx of entries for the 2024 Hull and East Yorkshire Business Awards. Event organiser Simon Jones has expressed his delight at the number of entrants as judges began the tough task of whittling down the contenders in anticipation of next month’s prestigious celebration event. This year is the first since the…
Sheridan, Wyoming — Former President Donald Trump has entered the luxury watch market, promoting timepieces under the brand “Trump Watch.” The promotional material, featuring Trump behind a desk, draws attention to the exclusive nature of these watches, one of which carries a six-figure price tag. The watches are marketed with claims of “Swiss-made power and precision.”
An investigation by CNN has traced the manufacturing and distribution roots of the Trump-branded watches to TheBestWatchesOnEarth LLC. The company’s registered address is a nondescript office space in a small shopping center in Sheridan, Wyoming. The center includes various businesses like H&R Block and Wendy’s, with the office space holding no visible signs of the watchmaking activity claimed by the Trump brand.
TheBestWatchesOnEarth LLC shares its address with multiple companies, some of which sell Trump-themed products. One such company, Kingdom Honey LLC, registered as “TheBestHoneyOnEarth,” offers “Male Enhancement Honey” with products previously flagged by the FDA. These connections have raised questions about the legitimacy and transparency of the ventures.
CNN has been unsuccessful in drawing a direct link between the honey company and Trump. Vladimir Dmitriev, a spokesman for the honey seller, described the company as “highly reputable”, but declined to provide further details or comment on any potential ties to Trump, citing directives not to engage with media before Election Day. Similarly, attempts to obtain more information from Trump’s campaign and TheBestWatchesOnEarth met with non-responses.
Many of these businesses, including TheBestWatchesOnEarth, list Andrew Pierce as their organizer and registered agent. CNN was informed that Pierce often operates from Puerto Rico, and his company confirmed its role as registered agents for various entities, including Trump-related businesses. However, they claim no involvement in the operational aspects of these companies.
Despite the lack of clarity surrounding its operations, TheBestWatchesOnEarth promotes the watches as limited edition, with prices ranging from $499 to $100,000. The high-priced model is termed “Tourbillon” and is limited to 147 pieces. Nonetheless, criticism within the luxury watch community has surfaced, with reviewers questioning the value and quality of the watches.
While former President Trump has a history of licensing his name for business ventures, many have questioned the timing and transparency of these current endeavors, particularly as he gears up for another presidential run. Previous licensing efforts have linked him to products like Trump Vodka and Trump Steaks, many of which dissolved prior to his 2017 inauguration.
This latest venture, along with other recent deals, illustrates a significant commercial effort during a political comeback, showcasing a unique intertwining of business and political campaigning. Financial disclosures from Trump’s campaign reveal that these ventures have yielded significant financial returns.
The luxury watch market remains skeptical of the Trump-branded watches, emphasizing the need for consumers to be cautious of such high-priced items without substantial verification of their origins and quality.
The Bedford County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved the appropriation of a total of $400,000 for a new phase of the New London Business and Technology Center, an expansion project that will require the championship-level disc golf course at the site to be redesigned.The approval means the county will be able to receive a total of $2.25 million in grant funds from the Virginia Business Park Readiness Program and the Virginia Tobacco Revitalization Commission.To receive grants from the two state programs for the New London business park on U.S. 460 in Forest, Bedford County was required to approve the matching funds. The county’s Economic Development Authority previously agreed to put up $350,000 in matching funds for the expansion at New London.The Phase 2 plans involve clearing two sites and continuing the Meade Road gravel extension, the road on which the business park is located, along with making stormwater, sewer and underground utility upgrades.
People are also reading…
At Tuesday night’s meeting, the board of supervisors voted 6-1 to approve the $400,000 for the Phase 2 project at New London, with Supervisor Bob Davis voting against it.Davis said the costs associated with coming up with the matching funds to qualify for these state grants — what he described as “huge financial strings” attached to the appropriations — are getting “way out of hand.”As for the expansion of the New London business park, Davis said that, as an employer in Bedford County, when he talks to people in the county about this type of project, “they always tell me, ‘We came to Bedford because we like it the way it is.’”Immediately prior to the board meeting on Tuesday, the board of supervisors held a joint meeting with the members of the EDA from each district in the county, along with county and EDA staff members.At the joint meeting, participants generally were supportive of expanding the New London business park and ensuring Bedford County remains a top destination for disc golf players across the country.Along with New London Tech, the Bedford County Parks & Recreation Department operates four other public disc golf courses: Independence Park, Falling Creek Park, Moneta Park and Montvale Park.Nicole Johnson, director of tourism for Bedford County, said her office does not have figures yet showing the economic impact of the Professional Disc Golf World Championships that was held in August at two courses in the county: the New London Tech Disc Golf Course and a disc course set up at the Ivy Hill Golf Club.
Isaac Robinson, the defending world champion, putts during the 2024 Professional Disc Golf World Championships at the New London Tech Disc Golf Course on Aug. 21.
Paige Dingler, The News & Advance file
Using data from UDisc, a popular app many disc golf players use, Johnson said more than 2,000 players have come from more than 100 miles away to play at the New London Tech course since October 2023. Players from every state in the country, except for Nebraska, have played at the New London Tech course, she said.At Tuesday’s joint meeting, one official asked why Lynchburg was mentioned more often than Bedford County when players, fans and TV stations talked about the disc golf world championships.Johnson noted Lynchburg, unlike Bedford County, paid a $30,000 hosting fee that came with “a lot of marketing rights.”For future disc golf tournaments, Johnson said the county plans to address how Bedford County can be marketed in a better way.As for the changes that will be needed at the New London Tech Disc Course to accommodate the expansion of the business park, officials said the county is in negotiations with Paul McBeth, the six-time disc golf world champion who designed the course.McBeth is asking the county for some money as an incentive to help redesign the course, which is scheduled to host the end-of-season Disc Golf Pro Tour Championship in October 2025.Between seven and nine holes of the disc golf course will likely need to be moved or redesigned to accommodate the expansion of the business park.For the disc golf course, its designers were advised to place the holes on utility easements prior to it opening in 2021, but several holes were designed outside those easements, according to county officials.When asked by EDA members Tuesday about who was at fault for not keeping the holes on utility easements, Pam Armstrong, director of the Bedford County Office of Economic Development, responded, “Mr. McBeth and Parks & Rec.”EDA Chairman Wyatt Walton said he thinks the county can attract jobs to the New London business park and ensure the disc golf course remains a popular destination.“This [business] park was envisioned and developed to attract businesses and jobs, and I think we can still do that,” Walton said. “But none of us knew the success and the extreme popularity that this golf course would develop. It’s incumbent upon us to figure out a way to accomplish both goals.”Walton added he believes it’s important to keep McBeth’s name affiliated with the New London Tech Disc Golf Course.Armstrong told reporters after the joint meeting that her office is working hard to make sure the New London business park can expand and that disc golf can remain at the site.“We don’t feel like it’s an either, or it’s our way or the highway,” Armstrong said. “When I market this park [to companies], people love the fact that it’s got the trails on it. They love the fact that it’s got disc golf.”
#lee-outstream-wrap {
height: 100%;
width: 100%;
max-width: 800px;
margin: 0 auto;
display: none;
position: relative;
}
#lee-outstream-wrap .ima-controls-div { z-index: 99; }
#lee-outstream-wrap .lee-outstream-video {
position: relative;
padding-bottom: 56.25%;
height: 0;
}
#lee-outstream-wrap .lee-outstream-video video {
position: absolute;
top: 0;
left: 0;
width: 100%;
height: 100%;
z-index:1;
}
#lee-outstream-close {
display: none;
position: absolute;
cursor: pointer;
top: -25px;
left: -25px;
padding: 10px;
overflow: hidden;
background-color: #000;
border-radius: 20px;
color: #fff;
z-index: 99;
line-height: 0;
box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4) 0px 0px 5px 0px;
}
#lee-outstream-close:hover { color: rgba(255,255,255,.8); }
#lee-outstream-wrap.sticky {
position: fixed;
bottom:0;
right:0;
width: 400px;
z-index: 1000;
height: auto;
box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4) 0px 0px 10px 0px;
}
#lee-outstream-wrap.sticky #lee-outstream-close{ display: block; }
@media (max-width: 767px){
#lee-outstream-wrap.sticky { width: 60%; }
}
Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565Visit Shots! nowThe British Business Bank’s fourth Nations and Regions Tracker, published today, finds usage of external finance has increased to almost half (48%) of smaller business in the East Midlands – up 13 percentage points on the previous year.The report however also found that 55% of smaller businesses in the area view current trading conditions as presenting more threats than opportunities.Use of external finance rebounds in 2023External finance usage among smaller businesses saw notable growth across the UK with 11 of the 12 Nations and Regions recording an uptick. East and West Midlands, North East, South East, Northern Ireland and Wales all saw double digit growth. Victoria MearsBusinesses in the East Midlands increasingly drew on credit cards as a form of external finance – with 20% of smaller firms utilising this type of lending in 2023, up 9 percentage points on the previous year, one of the highest increases seen.Nationally, credit cards were also the most used and fastest growing finance type with nearly one in five (17%) smaller businesses using them, highlighting the challenges for businesses seeking external finance. Cautious optimism among smaller businesses but challenges remainSmaller businesses showed renewed interest in external finance in 2023, with a growing number using it to seek investments that had previously been delayed.Of those surveyed 36% said that they would be willing to use finance to help them grow and 34% of the businesses anticipated needing to use finance in the next 12 months, suggesting a continuing growth for the market in the region.Although inflationary pressures had slowly begun to ease in 2023, the majority (55%) still viewed current trading conditions as presenting more threats than opportunities and over three quarters (76%) were still feeling the impact of rising costs. Announced equity deals declined, but stabilisation seen in 2024The UK equity market experienced a decline in the number of announced deals across all Nations and Regions in 2023, reflecting ongoing economic challenges. The East Midlands was found to be one of the more resilient regions and saw only a 9% decrease in the number of announced equity deals to a total of 58 deals – from 63 the year before.The number of announced equity deals outside of London fell by 22% year-on-year to 1,098, while total investment dropped by 48% to £3.27 billion.Nationally, early signs from the first half of 2024 indicate a stabilisation, with a positive outlook for the year ahead. In Q1 2024, equity funding for UK smaller businesses increased by 7% compared to the same period in 2023, pointing towards renewed investor confidence.British Business Bank driving impact across the UK The British Business Bank has continued to deliver significant support to smaller businesses across the UK through its debt and equity finance programmes, with a focus on benefitting firms outside of London. In February 2024, the British Business Bank launched the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, a £400m fund aimed at unlocking additional funding to help smaller businesses in the Midlands prosper and thrive. In the West Midlands, the fund has so far provided over £1 million to smaller businesses across the region.The Bank’s geographically-focused funds provided £236 million in equity funding to over 200 companies located outside the capital in 2023, with a particular emphasis on supporting spinouts in regional markets, highlighting its commitment to fostering innovation and growth in the Nations and regions.Victoria Mears, UK Network Director for the Midlands, British Business Bank said: “Interest in external finance appears to be growing amongst smaller businesses in the East Midlands, indicating confidence in their plans for growth. “It is important for businesses to access the right kind of external funding for them. The British Business Bank is here to help our region’s founders do just that – and realise their ambitions for growth as they look towards the future.”Continue Reading
By Alexandra Noad – Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on October 17, 2024. The Blood Tribe Department of Health held an official book launch recently for Kottakinooniksi Awaahkapiyaawa: Bringing Our Spirits home.This book tells the inspiring true story of the Blood Tribe Addictions Framework, which is a community-driven plan designed by the Blood Tribe…
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
Embassy Pictures
Demi Moore moved around a lot in her childhood, and her life wasn’t wholly rosy. As she’s described it, Moore frequently relocated around the U.S., struggling with her mother and her stepfathers, and often finding herself malnourished. When she was 16, Moore dropped out of high school and took a job as a receptionist at 20th Century Fox. She signed a modest modeling contract and was making ends meet. Her next door neighbor was, it turned out, Nastassja Kinski, and the German actor encouraged Moore to take acting classes. She continued to model while working her way into films, making her debut in the 1981 movie “Choices.” The following year, Moore appeared in the 3-D monster movie “Parasite.”
These were the first two steps in a career that experienced a massive upward trajectory. By 1984, Moore was already playing lead characters in major studio productions. She became an adjunct of the Brat Pack, appearing in films like “St. Elmo’s Fire,” “Wisdom,” and “About Last Night.” In 1987, she famously married fellow superstar Bruce Willis, and the pair were often considered one of Hollywood’s best power couples.
Something Moore never got to do early in her career, however, was appear in Don Coscarelli’s well-liked cult fantasy film “The Beastmaster.” The film, thanks to immensely heavy rotation on cable TV, has become deeply beloved by a generation of fans, all of them fond of Coscarelli’s wild ideas, as well as the lead performance by the hunky Marc Singer and the lovely Tanya Roberts as the Beastmaster’s love interest, Kiri. An oft-repeated joke: there was a time when HBO stood for “Hey, ‘Beastmaster’s’ On.”
As it so happens, Kiri was initially offered to Moore. As Coscarelli related in his memoir “True Indie: Life and Death in Filmmaking by Phantasm and Bubba Ho-tep director Don Coscarelli,” he had every intention of casting Moore … only for her to lose the part when the film’s executive producer declared her voice was too low.
The Beastmaster
MGM/UA
It should be noted that Don Coscarelly, likely for legal reasons, was not allowed to refer to the above-mentioned executive producer by name. Throughout his memoir, he only ever refers to this person as “Commercial Director” or merely “CD.” We at /Film are under no similar litigious restrictions, so we’re free to tell you that it was Sylvio Tabet, the producer of films like “Dead Ringers” and “The Cotton Club.”
Coscarelli recalled the casting process for “The Beastmaster,” as well as the time crunch he encountered. Shooting was scheduled to begin soon and he hadn’t yet found his female lead. Luckily, he wrote, “one of our assistants suggested we meet an 18-year-old aspiring actress he knew who was married to a rocker friend of his.” Moore didn’t have much experience at the time, but Coscarelli loved her. “She was terrific,” he wrote, “I was hooked and wanted her for the role.” More than anything, Coscarelli was impressed by Moore’s famously “smoky” voice.
There was one final step, however. He needed approval from Tabet. Then everything went south. Coscarelli continued:
“We quickly scheduled a callback so we could get the Commercial Director’s approval. Demi came back and gave another reading for him, which was even better than the first. I looked over to [co-writer] Paul [Pepperman] and he shot me an approving nod. Bingo! Then, after some rumination and worry bead clacking, the CD weighed in and made his decision known that we would not cast this young woman. He told us that he had consulted with experts, and was told her voice was too deep and low to be picked up by the microphones and recorded. Paul and I just sat there dumbfounded.”
Tabet’s claim that low voices like Moore’s cannot be picked up by microphones is, of course, total hogwash. He was either mistaken or making up a weird lie to reject Moore and get another actor involved.
‘No Klaus Kinski and no Demi Moore’
MGM/UA
Moore’s rejection wasn’t the only casting frustration Coscarelli had with “The Beastmaster.” It seems that he had also written the role of the film’s villain, Maax, specifically for the infamously gonzo German ultra-thespian Klaus Kinski. The actor, by weird coincidence, was the father of Moore’s old neighbor Nastassja. However, the role of Maax ended up going to Rip Torn after Kinski asked for too much money.
Coscarelli was also frustrated that Tanya Roberts was cast in the role of Kiri. At the time, Roberts was best known for her role on “Charlie’s Angels,” a notoriously shallow, sexed-up spy show that he hated. Coscarelli recalls traveling to the casting offices to meet with Roberts and being less than impressed. As he put it:
“When we arrived we learned that her name was Tanya Roberts. What? The Tanya Roberts from the cheesy television series ‘Charlie’s Angels?’ You had to be kidding. None of the Angels were considered great actresses, and Tanya’s reviews when she debuted as the newest Charlie’s Angel were not the best.”
But the executive producer fell in love with Roberts, so Coscarelli was stuck. Luckily, he recalled Roberts being incredibly kind. Still, he was miffed. “No Klaus Kinski and no Demi Moore. As for me, I had no choice but to deal with it,” Coscarelli wrote. Moore did “Parasite” instead, and Coscarelli moved on to “Phantasm II” a few years later. Most recently, Moore appeared in the amazing horror freakout “The Substance,” although Coscarelli hasn’t directed a film since 2012’s “John Dies at the End.”
17/10/2024 – Charlie McDowell transposes Tove Jansson’s 1972 novel composed of 22 vignettes into a gentle portrait of ephemerality, childhood and passing griefEmily Matthews and Glenn Close in The Summer BookTove Jansson, the Finnish multi-hyphenate author, artist and painter known internationally for her Moomin books and illustrations, was also a short-story author and acclaimed novelist in her own right. Outside of her semi-autobiographical book Sculptor’s Daughter, Jansson’s most popular novel is The Summer Book, based loosely on her niece Sophia and Sophia’s grandmother – Jansson’s mother. Now on his fourth feature, US director Charlie McDowell brings to life Jansson’s quietly brilliant book with a script by Robert Jones, taking on the spirit of the novel, which is presented in 22 warm vignettes. McDowell’s interpretation of The Summer Book recently world-premiered in the Special Presentations section of the BFI London Film Festival.(The article continues below – Commercial information)
Taking on the drifting narrative simplicity of Jansson’s novel, The Summer Book tracks a season with young Sophia, her father and her grandmother at their holiday home in the Gulf of Finland. Underlying this tranquil time is the lingering absence of Sophia’s mother, who the audience learns, through inference, has recently passed away. While still vignette-based, the film adds a very loose plot arc to the book’s extremely slice-of-life tale. Nine-year-old Sophia, whom newcomer Emily Matthews plays with truly joyous bursts of innocence, is slightly older than Jansson’s protagonist, who is six. Rounding off the cast is Lars von Trier favourite Anders Danielsen Lie in his scruffy father era and Glenn Close as Sophia’s elderly but nimble grandmother, her face crinkling with character at every laugh.
Ephemerality and simplicity are key in McDowell’s film, where gently floating, twinkly melodic lines by composer Hania Rani seem to respond to the dialogue spoken. At the same time, arpeggiated piano and forward-pushing chord progressions respond to the rushing sounds of the environment (by sound designer Micke Nyström), most evident in a scene involving a thunderstorm, as Sophia looks out of a window at the downpour and Father, in a boat, fiercely fights the tumultuous waves. Costume designer Tiina Kaukanen, too, keeps to effective basics in order to keep us concentrated on the film’s overall simplicity: Sophia is almost always seen in a brighter-coloured striped or plaid top, while Father and Grandmother make do in earth-toned clothing.
From its first moments, the film sweeps you back to a childhood you never had as McDowell cultivates, with vintage-inspired lensing by DoP Sturla Brandth Grøvlen, a distinct feeling of anemoia – a perfectly constructed neologism for the feeling of nostalgia for a time one has never personally experienced. Taking place almost exclusively among the three main characters, McDowell’s feature moves between beautiful landscapes with a quaint pastoral feel, highlighting the Arcadian environment in which grief inevitability still settles. The Summer Book also thus becomes an interesting counterpoint to the anticipatory grief of the recent San Sebastián premiere My Eternal Summer [+see also: film reviewtrailerinterview: Sylvia Le Fanufilm profile], which adopts an entirely different angle on the intersection of Nordic idyllicism and bereavement through a girl’s (in this case, a teenage girl’s) bright, bold summer filled with outbursts of sadness and floods of emotion.
The Summer Book is a Finnish-UK-US production by Helsinki Filmi, Stille Production, Free Range Films and High Frequency Entertainment, while Charades is steering its international sales.(The article continues below – Commercial information)
Greece is urging British holidaymakers to travel to the country rather than other popular destinations such as Spain.Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has tried to reassure the people of his country that they do not have an overtourism problem, adding that issues have raised due to tourists being concentrated in certain destinations.He said: “Greece does not have an overtourism problem; rather, it faces the challenge of concentrated tourist activity in specific destinations for a few months of the year.”Mr Mitsotakis made the comments as he addressed the ‘Reimagine Tourism in Greece’ conference.He continued: “In certain Aegean islands, during peak months, the infrastructure is being stretched. With better infrastructure, theoretically, we could accommodate more tourists.”The question is not whether we want more tourists, but whether we want tourists who will spend more in our country.”Our priority is on boosting revenue. I am more interested in breaking revenue records, which is, of course, tied to the number of arrivals, but more importantly, I focus on tourism’s overall impact on the country’s development.”Countries like Spain have seen a number of big protests as locals rail against the level of tourism in their towns and cities.But Mr Mitsotakis said Greece won’t see similar protests.Mykonos and Santorini are among the Greek destinations that have experienced the most demand from holidaymakers.Greece has subsequently introduced plans to charge cruise ship passengers €20 when they arrive at the islands.At the time, Mr Mitsotakis said: “Cruise shipping has burdened Santorini and Mykonos and this is why we are proceeding with interventions.”Speaking this week, he added: “Santorini urgently needs a new port. We have made the decision to initiate this as a project under the Ministry of Infrastructure, which must be completed as quickly as possible.”While some locals in Greece have expressed frustration with the number of tourists visiting the country, tourism brought in about €20billion (£16.7billion) in 2023.
Technology outages and disasters often strike unexpectedly — bringing operations to a halt, exposing vulnerabilities and affecting revenue.
Recent incidents — including technology crises such as the CrowdStrike outage and natural disasters like hurricanes Helene and Milton — serve as powerful reminders of the importance of preparation.
Courtesy photo
Malinda Gagnon is CEO of Uprise Partners.
While no business can claim to be 100% prepared for every disruption, the goal is to implement measures that will ensure operational continuity and minimize financial losses during a crisis. Here are five key lessons to help your business stay resilient.
1. Assess your vulnerabilities and dependencies
Start by conducting a thorough assessment of your systems and operations to identify weak points. For example, are there single points of failure in your infrastructure? Is your business overly reliant on third-party vendors?
Understanding these risks is the first step in mitigating potential damage.
Assessing vulnerabilities also means identifying critical dependencies on vendors, suppliers, or systems. If a provider experiences an outage, it could disrupt your entire operation. Knowing these dependencies will allow you to develop strategies to minimize their impact.
2. Create and test a response plan
A business continuity plan is only as good as the testing behind it. Having a detailed response plan is essential for guiding your team during a crisis, but it must be regularly tested and updated to remain effective. Many businesses fall short by assuming their plan will work without testing it under real pressure.
Develop a comprehensive plan that defines specific steps to take during crises, such as natural disasters, cyberattacks, or technical failures. Assign clear roles and responsibilities to your team members.
Regularly simulate crisis situations to test how your team and systems respond. These drills will help identify gaps, allowing you to improve the plan before a real disaster occurs.
3. Diversify and build redundancies
Relying on a single system, provider, or location makes your business vulnerable to failure. By diversifying systems and building redundancies – you’re ensuring that if one element fails, others can take over seamlessly. Redundancy is critical for data storage, network systems, and cloud services.
For instance, adopting a multi-cloud strategy can significantly reduce the risk of an outage. If one provider experiences an issue, others can step in. Geographic redundancy — distributing resources across regions — can also mitigate the impact of regional outages. Backup systems that can be activated quickly further reduce the risk of operational downtime.
4. Communicate with vendors
In times of crisis, proactive communication with vendors and partners can prevent misunderstandings and delays. Whether you are working with a third-party IT provider or a logistics supplier, having open lines of communication before, during, and after a disruption is critical for minimizing impact.
Establish communication protocols with key vendors ahead of time to ensure a smooth recovery process. Keep them updated on potential risks and ask them to share their own crisis management plans. Discuss contingencies, such as service-level agreements that require rapid support during an emergency. This not only helps your business recover more quickly but also strengthens relationships with vendors by fostering trust and transparency.
5. Review and update your business continuity plan
The business environment is constantly changing, so your continuity plan needs to evolve as well. A plan that worked five years ago may no longer be relevant today. Regular reviews and updates to your plan ensure that it remains effective when a crisis occurs.
Schedule periodic reviews of your business continuity plan, ideally on an annual basis or after significant changes in your operations, technology, or external environment. Learn from internal drills and real-world incidents, refining the plan based on these experiences. Continuously improving your continuity plan ensures that it remains an active, relevant tool that will help your business survive future disruptions.
Business resilience relies on proactive planning, flexibility, and ongoing assessment. By staying prepared and adaptable, your business can minimize the impact of disruptions, maintain operations during crises and recover quickly, ensuring long-term stability and success.
First Published Oct 17, 2024, 11:26 AM IST | Last Updated Oct 17, 2024, 11:26 AM ISTBengaluru Airport City Limited (BACL), a subsidiary of Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL), has initiated the ambitious “Business Park” project by acquiring 2 million square feet of land. This development aims to position Bengaluru as a global hub in the Global Capacity Center (GCC) sector, generating around 3.5 lakh jobs and contributing $50 billion to the economy.
The Business Park is part of Bangalore Airport City, located within the Kempegowda International Airport (BLR Airport) premises. The city is being developed as a mixed-use destination featuring business parks, educational and healthcare centres, research and development (R&D) hubs, and various entertainment and hospitality facilities. The vision for Bangalore Airport City is to become a sustainable, smart, and world-class urban hub.’Bengalureans can soon reach cantonment station from Airport in 40 mins’: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav
The Business Park will span 17.7 acres and include four blocks, each covering 0.5 million square feet. A key feature of the park is its biophilic design, incorporating urban forests, lush gardens, and green balconies to create an attractive environment for business activities.
Rao Munukutla, Executive Director and CEO of BACL emphasized Bengaluru’s rising status as the GCC capital of the world, particularly in sectors like Information Technology, Biotechnology, Automotive, and Aerospace. He noted that Bengaluru is home to 36% of India’s Global Competence Centers (GCCs). Munukutla further highlighted that the 2 million square feet business park will offer numerous networking opportunities, advanced infrastructure, and world-class amenities.
“Our project aligns perfectly with Karnataka’s GCC policy, aiming to make Bengaluru a global business hub. Over 52% of the airport city’s development will be dedicated to business parks, fostering innovation and collaboration,” he added.’Manyata Tech Falls’: Video of rain wreaking havoc in Bengaluru’s iconic tech park stuns internet (WATCH)
One of the standout features of the project is its close proximity to the upcoming Airport West Metro station, which will provide swift and eco-friendly connectivity to Bengaluru’s city centre. This is expected to significantly enhance accessibility for both employees and visitors.
Bangalore Airport City is also being designed as a high-tech hub, with plans for 3D printing institutes, advanced technology centres, and central kitchens. In addition, entertainment and hospitality destinations are set to flourish, with the city set to host India’s first concert arena, along with convention and exhibition centres. The area will also offer 5,200 hotel rooms, with the Taj Bangalore already operational and a 775-room combo hotel (Vivanta & Ginger) under construction.
The city’s infrastructure is also built on sustainability principles, with the entire campus being energy-neutral and constructed using renewable resources. The project has earned the IGBC’s Green Cities Platinum certification, further bolstered by large-scale rainwater harvesting initiatives aimed at meeting the city’s water needs in line with global sustainable development goals.’Can we send rainwater back to sky?’, HM G Parameshwar’s remarks draw criticism as rainfall lashes Bengaluru
Additionally, the education and healthcare sectors in Bangalore Airport City are being developed on a large scale, with major international organizations setting up facilities like a Life Sciences Park. This park will support the state’s healthcare and educational infrastructure. Moreover, institutions such as BIAL Academy and Air India Academy are preparing the next generation of aviation and hospitality professionals.
Bangalore Airport City exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to urban development, integrating sustainability, innovation, and connectivity. Positioned at the core of Bengaluru’s economic expansion, Kempegowda International Airport is one of the fastest-growing airports globally, handling 37.5 million passengers last year. Its capacity is expected to reach 90 million passengers by 2030. The city’s skilled workforce, especially in aerospace, will further benefit industry leaders like Airbus and Boeing, cementing Bengaluru’s role as a major global business and manufacturing hub.
Latest VideosFollow Us:Download App: