George Freeman, founder of 4D Biomedical, and Nigel Brown, chairman of the Greater Cambridge Partnership, are looking at how to raise the funds.
The pair believe it would provide a boost to the economy of Norwich and the ports of Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft.
Mr Freeman said they want to see if it is feasible to bring together private and public funds to build the line.
'Unlock potential'
"East Anglia has woeful road, rail and broadband links," Mr Freeman said.
"We will never unlock the potential of this region unless we can get around."
He said a Cambridge business investor told him that he was not interested in companies in Norwich because ""they are too difficult to get to".
"Investing in a modern rail, road and broadband infrastructure will allow us to accelerate innovation, spread prosperity, and reduce congestion," he said.
New rail franchise
Mr Brown, who used to work for Cambridge-based investment bank N. W. Brown, said: "You only have to look at the effect which the Victorians had on the districts in which they built their new railway lines.
"Houses, commerce and wealth will always follow. Many new houses are being planned for this region but no one has thought about the communications.
"Many of the trains in the region take longer than they did in the 19th Century."
One option they are looking at is to start a new regional building society, with the power to raise its own new bonds, offering higher yields to investors than government bonds.
Approaching the existing rail operators will be the next stage.
Mr Freeman said if the project were to work it would need the Government to grant a 20 year franchise to run the operating companies and Railtrack businesses.
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The sell-out summit was organised by George Freeman, and sponsored and hosted by the award winning Hunters Hall conference centre at Castle Farm, Swanton Morley.
George Freeman, founder of the Norfolk Way campaign, said: "Our small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy. Whilst irresponsible regulators and bankers in London are bailed out with billions of pounds of our money, local businesses are being hit by collapsing consumer spending and a refusal by banks to lend. Norfolk's rural businesses are hit especially hard.
"Over recent years our leaders in London have forgotten that finance is just the oil of the real economy engine. We need to get back to a more balanced and sustainable economy in which finance is the servant of real business.
Mark Prisk MP, Shadow Minister of State for Small Business, said: "Government needs to recognise the difference between the Banking crisis, and the Real Economy crisis it is now causing. Well run businesses are now being crippled by the regulatory failures which have allowed greed, cheap credit and speculative financial engineering to get out of control. We supported the Government in its urgent action to prevent banking collapse, but we believe too little attention is now being spent on preventing a crisis in the real economy - which the banks ultimately rely on."
Photo:Wilfred Emanuel Jones
The team at World Horse Welfare provide a wonderful service to us all: rescuing and rehabilitating horses who have been neglected, abandoned or abused. It is a world class facility, doing great work, which deserves our support. Whilst the cruelty involved in some of the cases of neglect the team deal with is shocking, their success in rehabilitating these beautiful creatures with immaculate care is quite inspiring.
World Horse Welfare is another example of the many charitable and commercial centres excellence tucked away in rural Mid Norfolk which we need to do more to celebrate.
After touring the stables and meeting staff, George met with Chief Executive, Roly Owers and the campaigns and administration team to discuss ways of supporting WHW's work.
To help raise the profile of the Centre and its visitor and conference facilities, George has organised to bring the next Mid Norfolk Enterprise Forum to the WHW venue on April 22nd.
I am delighted that we will be holding the next Mid Norfolk Enterprise Forum here at the World Horse Welfare conference centre. It is a great facility, with a number of regular events and public open days, which deserves more local publicity and profile"".
The Next Mid Norfolk Enterprise Forum will be on Wednesday 22nd April 2009 at 6.00pm pm, at World Horse Welfare Conference Centre, Snetterton. Guest speaker: Wilfred Emmanuel Jones, better known as founder of multiple award winning 'The Black Farmer' range of foods, a passionate advocate of a vibrant rural economy, with a great message in support of The Norfolk Way's campaign for rural enterprise.
Please contact us if you would like to attend.
Photo:George visiting the World Horse Welfare centre at Snettisham
The sell-out summit was organised by George Freeman, Founder of The Norfolk Way campaign and Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for the new Mid Norfolk Constituency at the next election. The meeting was attended by Shadow Minister of State for Small Business, Mark Prisk MP who spoke on: What should Government do for small businesses? The meeting was sponsored and hosted by the award winning Hunters Hall conference centre at Castle Farm, Swanton Morley.
George Freeman, founder of the Norfolk Way campaign, said: "Our small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy. Whilst irresponsible regulators and bankers in London are bailed out with billions of pounds of our money, local businesses are being hit by collapsing consumer spending and a refusal by banks to lend. Norfolk's rural businesses are hit especially hard.
Over recent years our leaders in London have forgotten that finance is just the oil of the real economy engine. We need to get back to a more balanced and sustainable economy in which finance is the servant of real business.
Mark Prisk MP, Shadow Minister of State for Small Business, said: "Government needs to recognise the difference between the Banking crisis, and the Real Economy crisis it is now causing. Well run businesses are now being crippled by the regulatory failures which have allowed greed, cheap credit and speculative financial engineering to get out of control. We supported the Government in its urgent action to prevent banking collapse, but we believe too little attention is now being spent on preventing a crisis in the real economy - which the banks ultimately rely on."
Neil Shillito, of Norwich based SG Wealth Management Ltd, said: "Of course the banking system must be supported but Government throwing a wall of money will not solve the problem. Small businesses are only struggling because they need credit to aid cash flow. The numbers involved in underwriting loans would be infinitesimally small compared to the billions being talked about at Westminster, but the effect would be dramatic in terms of preserving and creating jobs and supporting the GDP of the country as a whole."
Mr. Prisk went on to outline a number of key policies that the Conservatives are urging the Government to adopt to help small businesses, including:
- Abolishing income tax on savings for basic rate taxpayers and raise the pensioners' personal allowance by £2,000 to £11,490.
- Getting credit flowing and save jobs with a £50 billion National Loan Guarantee Scheme.
- Helping cashflow by delaying VAT bills for six months.
- Freezing council tax for two years by cutting wasteful Government spending.
- Getting companies hiring again through reducing employment costs for small businesses by cutting National Insurance, and through a tax break for new jobs.
- Over the long term we will get the public finances back under control with an Office for Budget Responsibility so no Labour Government can ever bankrupt this country again.
For more details please see below or contact George Freeman on 07855 252 999.
As people across our area face difficult times this winter and New Year, with all of us having to make serious economies in the face of the recession, why isnt the Government doing more to cut back its waste and unnecessary spending to target those who need help most ? Whilst families, small businesses, local councils and voluntary groups have to make economies, Central Government is still wasting millions on unnecessary initiatives like the reorganisation of Norfolk's councils which is estimated to cost between £25m and £100m. Whilst millions of ordinary savers face a black hole in their pensions as a result of Gordon Brown's stealth taxes and economic mismanagement, millions of civil servants in Whitehall and Labour's regional quangoes enjoy protected risk-free jobs on huge salaries and final salary schemes. That is not fair and it isn't sustainable. Government doesnt generate money, it spends it. It is vital that we do more to prioritise and support the wealth creating sectors of our economy which fund our public services.
Photo:George interviewed on BBC Politics Show East
The EDP's Support Your Pub campaign is an excellent initiative that deserves wide support. The local pub is so often the heart of village life. All of us who care about Norfolk's rural community, services and identity have to fight for them. That means two things:
- Supporting local pubs. As with Post offices, we either use them or lose them.
- Lobbying Government to stop irresponsible supermarket discounts on spirits and beer encouraging anti-social binge drinking.
It is madness that at a time when we need to be tackling outdoor binge drinking and encouraging a responsible culture of social drinking, the Government raises costs on pubs but allows supermarkets like Tesco's to run discount promotions targeting 'alcopops', cheap spirits and beer at youngsters.
This Saturday's bike ride is aimed at two things:
- Promoting some great local pubs 'off the beaten track' in rural Norfolk.
- Highlighting the rate of closure of rural pubs and the need for Government action.
Jessica Lapping, one of the Founders of the Dabbling Duck in Great Massingham, recent winner of the EDP Norfolk Food Award 2008 said the pub trade, like so many rural businesses, is facing tough times at the moment with recession, rising prices, duties and taxes. "We were delighted to be honoured with the EDP Award. We are a traditional, country pub with a modern twist . The food at The Dabbling Duck reflects the seasons and the menu changes accordingly, wherever possible the ingredients are sourced locally. We strongly support the Norfolk Way Campaign to promote local rural enterprise."
In a characteristically forthright speech, Doug set out a clear model for unlocking a revolution in the rural economy in Norfolk. In a strong endorsement of the aims of the Norfolk Way campaign, he said:
"The Norfolk Way vision is right. Norfolk CAN be prosperous AND retain its traditional identity. CAN combine the best of the old and the new. CAN have an economy based on well-connected, dispersed rural enterprises, living in a pleasant rural environment but competing in the global economy. BUT only with world class communications.
"Our whole model of social and economic development by Big Government is flawed. The Wall St and City bubble collapse is demonstrating that sustainability is to be found in sound business basics, in the traditional simple business virtues of watching cash, looking after customers, having a competitive usp, having a distinct business offering and talking to your customers.
"Small businesses always do this. All we have to do to unlock a revolution in enterprise in Norfolk is to remove the barriers that hold business back, invest in world class communications, and promote a positive model of mixed rural development. I strongly support The Norfolk Way campaign."
On his feet with no notes for over an hour and a half, his speech was followed by a lively Q+A discussion on subjects such as the lack of sufficient broadband supply in rural (and some urban) areas, the intervention of central government on issues that would be better resolved locally, the need for more investment in HE in Norfolk, and the importance of stimulating and encouraging young people into business.
George Freeman, founder of The Norfolk Way and organiser of the Mid Norfolk Enterprise Forum said:
"This is exactly what the Forum is about: promoting local enterprise, giving local businesses a voice to highlight the issues that matter to us and need tackling locally and nationally, and inspiring us to believe in our entrepreneurial spirit and to demand the infrastructure to support this.
"This area - 'tho very rural - is home to some fabulous small businesses which we need to celebrate and promote. We look forward to expanding The Norfolk Way project to help local businesses and to develop closer links between businesses, schools and communities."
The Forum launched a new 'charity slot' last night, in which a local charity has a chance to 'pitch' to the assembled businesses. Reflecting the theme of access and opportunity in the countryside, the inaugural slot was granted to Kickstart in Dereham, who run a scheme providing 500 mopeds to help Norfolk youngsters access jobs: This is a practical way the Forum can make a difference - by helping good businesses play their traditional civic role in the community.'
Sponsored by Edward Bales of Poultec, founder of South Green Park Enterprise Centre, the Forum attracted a range of business people representing all areas of enterprise, from heavy manufacturing, farming and rural diversification, cottage industries, service industries, web-based businesses and high tech innovations. After a drinks reception, delegates had a chance to mingle and meet others over a buffet before the meeting and then many of them met Doug afterwards to follow up on issues more relevant to them or their businesses.
For more quotes, photographs, details of last night's event and future events, please contact the Norfolk Way at 01842 928 748 or Coralie Green 07771 743604 or George Freeman 07855 252 999 direct.
Doug's Bootcamp for Entrepreneurs on 6 October is part of EEDA's new Big Fish campaign - places are limited so early sign up is recommended - find out more or register at www.bigfish4business.com.
Photo:Doug Richard speaks to the Mid Norfolk Enterprise Forum
