VVA an attractive community Conurbation 2015...Economic Panorama of the Vichy Val d’Allier...

Economic Panorama of the Vichy Val d’Allier employment catchment area 2015/16

Vichy Val d’Allier Développement – May 2015 Page 1

www.vichy-economie.com

1 President / 14 Vice-Presidents / 68 Community Councillors / 250 Employees 15 community of communes economic activity zones/ population 76,314 /

+ 1,540 inhabitants in the Conurbation between 1999 and 2012

geographic area of 327.5 km² / www.agglo-vichyvaldallier.fr

For the last 14 years the Vichy Val d’Allier Communauté d’agglomération (Conurbation) - VVA, has supported, promoted and worked to improve the

standing of the 23 communes it comprises. These towns, each with a different identity, have found a way of working together to create a territory with substantial economic growth and an expanding tourist sector. VVA is the second largest industrial basin in the Auvergne, and continues to innovate and encourage the installation of entrepreneurs, sometimes coming from afar. The Conurbation has once again this year, proved its reputation for quality, skills and know-how in the areas of education, high level sporting activities, culture, lifestyle and well-being.

The VVA Conurbation has the firm intention to continue to support the strengths, resources and rich heritage of the territory to ensure it continues to develop and grow. Our Conurbation is the second industrial centre in the Auvergne and the second University and higher education centre. Furthermore, the services and infrastructures available allow VVA to welcome national and international events with confidence. The direct motorway access, opened at the beginning of 2015, can only reinforce this potential and development. But we still need to be vigilant with Regional and Central Government, to improve available rail and road public transport services which are indispensable for attracting and welcoming new businesses, which in turn create new jobs. Our economic, touristic and environmental advantages will help us take our rightful place in the construction of the Clermont-Vichy-Auvergne Metropolitan Area and the future larger Region of Auvergne/Rhône-Alpes. I know that I can count on the Vichy Val d’Allier Economic Development Agency to continue accompanying and supporting our Conurbation efficiently and professionally, helping our local businesses grow and developing new and innovative economic activities and sectors.

Claude Malhuret

Senator for the Allier

Mayor of Vichy

President of Vichy Val d'Allier Conurbation

Former Minister

VVA an attractive community Conurbation There are a number of pertinent indicators which show if a Conurbation is doing well and in good shape, for example if the population is rising. The figures provided by INSEE, the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies, in January 2015, showed that in 2012 the VVA Conurbation had increased its population by 2% compared with 1999. The Conurbation presently has a population of 76,314 and is attracting more and more people from neighbouring Departements (counties). Known and recognised for a much sought after quality of lifestyle, with shops open 7/7, the Conurbation is very attractive for young, active families: INSEE states that the stabilisation of the population in the Allier is essentially down to the attractiveness of Vichy. The town has won back the inhabitants it previously lost. Furthermore, the communes near to Vichy and Cusset, such as Bost, Magnet and Charmeil, have the lion’s share of the +30% of new arrivals buying a home. VVA is a real choice of lifestyle and future.

http://www.agglo-vichyvaldallier.fr/




A territory that is opening up VVA Conurbation is in the process of successfully overcoming the challenge to its road network by making it simpler and improving traffic flow. For a few months now the section of the A719 motorway linking Gannat to Vichy has already improved traffic flow. The South-West and North-West bypasses will be the next improvements to the Conurbation, situated only 55km from the capital of the Auvergne and 45 minutes from its international airport. This opening up in terms of transport makes this central location very attractive. A number of major international groups have, for many years now, based production units in the VVA territory: for example the Spanish group CTL Packaging, or the American group Valmont who chose Charmeil as the location for their French subsidiary.

International prospecting: the example of Renova The Portuguese group Renova is opening a subsidiary in Saint-Yorre in late 2015, on the previous site of the Candia factory. The group specialises in the manufacture of high quality paper for the hygiene industry. It was not by chance that it chose the Auvergne to open it first production unit outside of Portugal. Renova was identified very early on by the ARDE (Agence Régionale de Développement Economique-Regional Economic Development Agency), as a company which could be interested in having a presence in the Auvergne. The Portuguese company has been accompanied and supported all along their installation project. The coordination efforts made by local actors were an important element in their decision to come to VVA, as well as the geographic location and its important logistics potential. « Internationalisation is part of the company's strategy and the operation in France is an essential element of this strategy » confides Paulo Pereira Da Silva, the CEO of Renova. The arrival of the company brings benefits at all levels, beginning with the initial creation of thirty jobs at their site in Saint-Yorre.

Number of companies in the VVA Conurbation by activity sector, as at I January 2013:

In total, Industry, Construction,

Commerce, transport, service

industry, of which commerce and

auto-repair, Public administration,

education, health, social services

A recognised economic identity As well as supporting the 4,000 businesses already in the Conurbation and the activities which have traditionally been at the centre of its economic activity, VVA also supports innovation, for example in the Eco-friendly construction sector. The 15 economic activity zones in the Conurbation house a variety of businesses in different sectors, which is one of the strengths of VVA's employment strategy. A typical example of this success is the Atrium René-Bardet. Previously an area of industrial wasteland near to the railway station in Vichy, it now provides 8,000m² of office space as a service industry activity centre (www.atrium-vichy.com).

Field: non-agricultural commercial activities

Source : INSEE, REE (SIRENE)

http://www.atrium-vichy.com/




Health/well-being/nutrition An emblematic sector of excellence, which has developed considerably in recent years. Vichy, the queen of spa towns, understood that a crucial change of strategy was necessary in order to attract tourists and businesses to create jobs. The Ambassadors of the sector are Vichy cosmetic products, produced by CAP (Cosmétique Active Production) a subsidiary of the world market leader L'Oréal, and the Saint-Yorre and Vichy Célestins mineral waters, part of the Castel Group.

The Bioparc, a real success

With 15 businesses and 150 jobs, the Vichy Bioparc welcomes companies from the Health-Beauty-Fitness, Biomedical, Food and Health sectors. Located in the heart of a preserved, natural environment, the Bioparc has become a national benchmark since its creation in 1996. In order to conform to the " Qualiparc " norms and standards, quality is at the heart of everything on-site: from the architecture of the buildings, the services provided and the ethical products produced. www.bioparc.com

To relax for an hour, or to spend three days charging your batteries, or for spa treatments designated by the French State health system, Vichy's spa infrastructures are amongst the most modern and spacious in Europe, welcoming tourists from around the world. The luxury sector is another important development in VVA's economy, particularly concerning leather goods. The Fleurus Group at Bellerive-sur-Allier, and Sofama at Espinasse-Vozelle, fulfil orders from major names in the fashion and luxury industries. These companies total more than 400 employees, practically all of whom come from the local employment catchment area with high-end skills and know-how.

Training programmes adapted to the local economy The VVA Conurbation has the second largest higher education campus in the Auvergne with over 2,300 students on 11 sites. In order to promote its major economic sectors, VVA organises over fifty general courses as well as several particularly adapted to the local market. For example, the IEQT in Vichy, the European Institute for Total Quality Management, has a course for a Diploma in Quality Management with an option in Environmental Security. This course makes a lot of sense locally given the expansion of the wood and timber industry and the Eco-friendly construction sector. Also, Vichy's University Centre has a Masters Degree course in Project Management for Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Product Development.

For the last 50 years the CAVILAM-Alliance Française has been teaching the whole world the language of Molière. The language school is based in the Lardy University Centre. In 2014 it broke the record for attendance with 4,119 non-francophone students, an increase of 40% since 2006: 3,349 students and 770 teachers of 130 different nationalities chose Vichy as a destination to learn French. If these international ambassadors carry the colours of Vichy back to far off places, they also make an impact on the local economy here: they represent 140,000 overnight stays and €7 million injected into the local economy.

In September 2015 Vichy's Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Academy will begin a course for PLM functional consultants. In industry, PLM is the process of managing the entire lifecycle of a product from inception, through engineering design and manufacture, to service and disposal of manufactured products. An important part of the information technology structure of any manufacturing company, the PLM market has been growing by more than 10% annually. It is estimated that 25,000 PLM engineers and technicians will be required to cover market requirements in Europe alone. The course is run in partnership with PERCALL, a Lyon based computer engineering services company who opened a specialised PLM centre in Vichy in 2005. The course is open to salaried employees, job-seekers and students (level Bac +3 to Bac +5 or with professional experience in IT or industry). This high added value qualification has been organised by the Moulins-Vichy Chamber of Commerce and Industry and is supported by the Sous-Préfecture of Vichy, la Direccte [Regional Directorate for Business, Competition, Consumer Affairs, Work and Employment] the Pôle Emploi jobcentre, Vichy Val d’Allier Développement, the Auvergne Regional Council, the Departemental (county) Council and the company Percall. It is co-financed by the Auvergne Regional Council and the EU (ESF/YEI). This unique academy will provide a course with 560 hours of theory and training, combined with a 5 month outplacement in a company.

http://www.bioparc.com/http://www.vichy-economie.com/enseignement-superieurhttp://www.cavilam.com/




A heritage worth visiting The gentle, green countryside around VVA is good for chilling out and relaxing holidays. The tourists aren't wrong when they make the Conurbation one of the top tourist destinations in the Allier. Historic, natural, industrial and architectural heritage from the 23 Communes mixes together, to be discovered by a great number of interested and curious visitors. Since 2001, VVA has helped put together a network of 35 signposted pathways for walking, cycling and horse riding, totalling nearly 400km. Sensitive Natural Heritage Sites, like "la Boire des Carrés" or "la Côte Saint-Amand", with a rich and protected biodiversity help encourage tourism which respects the environment. The improvements made to the banks of the Allier River throughout the territory, and the promenades in Vichy along the riverfront, are excellent for strolling or wandering, enjoying the simple pleasures of nature.

VVA, a land of culture With its opera house, theatres, museums and various places for shows and exhibitions, the VVA Conurbation also shines because of the number of cultural events it holds and its abundant artistic life. The varied programmes of the Valery-Larbaud Cultural Centre, the Vichy Opera House, the theatre in Cusset and at the Geyser in Bellerive-sur-Allier, attract visitors from throughout the region all year round. Also, various festivals punctuate the year with their notes, words and images opening onto other creative worlds. Some examples: - the ‘’Cour du Soir’’ festival in Cusset, which each year invites thousands of spectators to come and discover something new - the ‘’Tintamarre’’ young public festival organised by the CCVL (local life citizen's council) and Musiques Vivantes (living music) - the Festival of Amateur Short Films created by the Vichy Audiovisual Club in partnership with the IUT (University Institute of Technology) Allier Multimedia and Internet Department - the ‘’Journalism and Society’’ Festival in homage to Albert Londres - the ‘’Generation Star Wars’’ Festival founded by the passionate « Heirs of the force » who have made this science fiction festival one of the largest in France.

The foremost sports economy platform in France For many years the Conurbation has been one of the most attractive, high-level destinations in France for amateur and professional sports. A national reputation explained by top level equipment and infrastructure, as well as a unique availability for accommodation (1,400 beds), combined with the force of the CREPS Regional Centre for Physical Education and Sports Management, which provides a complete programme of support for top athletes and future coaches in 9 hectares of facilities. The Aquatic Centre with its Olympic sized outdoor pool has already hosted the American Swimming Team on two occasions: their champions came to train and prepare their fitness, particularly prior to the 2012 Olympic Games. Since 2013, the French Open Swimming Championship also takes place here, and the centre has become a regular destination for international competitions.




The 100 hectares of the widened River Allier are authorised to host international rowing and canoe and kayak competitions, as well as major competitions each season in motorised water sports, much to the delight of the spectators. The VVA Conurbation also supports its local sports clubs and provides them with perfectly adapted facilities. The "Palais des sports" with its 3,200 seat basketball arena is home to the local team "The JAV" and their enthusiastic supporters. Similarly, the Darragon Stadium is home to the Vichy Racing Club, with football and rugby teams. The Vichy-Bellerive Racecourse (3rd in France) and the Show Jumping Arena, which each year holds the Jumping International competition in July as well as other competitions, are also evidence of the exceptional quality of sport “Made In VVA”, particularly equestrian sports.

Challenge becomes Iron Man This year the Vichy Challenge has become the second Iron Man triathlon in France, after Nice. The event takes place over two days during the last weekend of August, and includes a Half Ironman. By having the licence for a version of the King of triathlon events, the organisers have turned this competition into a global event with potentially 4,000 contestants. A new sporting victory for VVA, now a prime destination for major sporting events.

Pays Vichy-Auvergne

166 Communes / 10 Communities of Communes / 1 Conurbation - VVA / population

160,000 / www.paysvichyauvergne.com

The Communities of Communes: - 7 in the Allier : Sioule Colettes et Bouble (17 communes), Bassin de Gannat (16), Pays Saint-Pourçinois (27), Varennes-Forterre (14), Pays de Lapalisse (14), Montagne Bourbonnaise (15), Donjon Val Libre (14) ; - 3 in the Puy-de-Dôme : Nord-Limagne (12), Côteaux de Randan (8), Limagne Bords d'Allier (5).

Based on the notion of a local geographic area, the "Pays" (country) evokes a strong attachment to a place or a culture. The Pays is a project-based territory made up of communes and/or intermunicipal groups, promoting overall and sustainable development, linking urban centres and rural communities. The role of the Pays Vichy-Auvergne, as with the other 375 ‘’Pays’’ in France, is based on the territorial project defined in its founding charter: investigating what needs to be done, coordinating with partners and giving the necessary impulse and support to get it done.

http://www.paysvichyauvergne.com/




This type of cooperation with local volunteers is based around a Development Council made up of experts, heads of local associations, individual citizens or simply people who are interested in the development of their local area. These Councils are typical examples of participative democracy, based on mutual respect and exchanges of opinions. They give advice, make propositions and follow and support their projects. The LEADER programme (an acronym in French meaning "Links between actions for the development of the rural economy") is an EU initiative to support local level rural development projects to revitalise rural areas and create jobs The Pays Vichy-Auvergne, as with all other Pays, has the objective of retaining its population by providing the necessary services, jobs and an acceptable living environment. Lifestyle initiatives can be supported under certain conditions by the LEADER programme, which in turn is financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). Objectives: -reinforce local rural development strategies; -support pilot projects concerned with the environment, culture, tourism and heritage which make territories more dynamic and contribute to their economic expansion.

To obtain this type of aid, a financial/financing partnership with a local authority is essential. Project proposers and managers must find another source of public financing to benefit from LEADER funds: such as from the Conseil départemental (County Council), Conseil régional (Regional Council), Communauté de communes ou d’agglomération (the Community of Communes or the Conurbation), the CAF (French Social Security System Family Allowance Fund), DRAC (Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs) etc... The Pays Vichy-Auvergne's application for LEADER 2014-2020 funds was made on 31 January 2015 based on the following specific project: « In the Pays Vichy-Auvergne, sharing excellence becomes a driving force for attractiveness and solidarity ». The results should be published end September 2015.

The Metropolitan Area 1 President / 4 Vice-Presidents / / 6 committee members population 76,314 / 250,000 jobs /

40,000 students / www.clermontmetropole.org Source : Syndicat mixte Métropole Clermont Vichy

A "syndicat mixed ouvert " (SMO) is an administrative structure between communes, communities of communes, conurbations and other legal entities: for example a Chamber of Commerce. The SMO Clermont-Vichy Auvergne Metropolitan Area was created in October 2013. Its President is Claude Malhuret, who succeeded Dominique Adenot in November 2014 subject to an alternating Presidency reflecting the last Municipal elections. This SMO brings together the two conurbations Clermont Communauté and Vichy Val d’Allier, plus eight Communities of Communes, Riom Communauté, Issoire Communauté, Thiers Communauté, Volvic Sources et volcans, Mur-ès Allier, Limagne d’Ennezat, Nord Limagne and Limagne Bords d’Allier, as well as the Auvergne Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Their agreed common objective is to win the battle for attractiveness. By joining their efforts and leaving political labels aside, all the political and economic actors in this large territory hope to create a better visibility and identity in the future enlarged Region Auvergne/Rhône-Alpes. A common strategy put in place progressively, promises a bright future with an attractive and unified Metropolitan Area.

Rachid Kander, Manager of the Urbanism, Development and Town Planning

Agency at the Metropolitan Area

Can you explain to us exactly what the Clermont-Vichy Auvergne Metropolitan Area is? Rachid Kander (RK): « I like using the image of the baobab tree, a meeting place in a village. The Metropolitan Area is about the actors and deciders in the territory getting together around a table to share ideas and develop a global vision for the future, for the whole of the Metropolitan Area. In this way everybody contributes and things can move quicker ».

http://www.clermontmetropole.org/




What directions and strategies have been proposed and discussed by the partners? RK: « We are all working to promote sustainable mobility, developing excellence in cultural, tourism and sporting activities, and reinforcing centres of innovation and research. And all this while still supporting the development of our territory. One of the first actions will concern the River Allier, a real lifeline and common identity throughout the territory ». What would you say to those people who see this as just another "layer" of administration in an already complex situation? RK: « First of all, the Metropolitan Area does not cost a lot of money as there are no teams of people who are dedicated to it. The "engineering" part is taken care of by a team that already exists, the Urbanism, Development and Town Planning Agency at the Metropolitan Area, and all of the administration is managed by Clermont Conurbation. It is worth remembering that this Metropolitan Area is essential in order to coordinate the efforts of all of the local actors. The union must be strong in order to get the message heard as much as possible ».

Some concrete examples of current projects The Metropolitan Area helped avoid disagreement and differences of opinion by creating a real discussion and convergence of ideas concerning the TGV Auvergne. Today, everybody at the Metropolitan Area agrees with and defends the project to have a median TGV line. The Development Council is supporting a project involving the installation of a second generation biofuel production site. The project is actually at the feasibility stage. The site at Montpertuis-Palazol (VVA Conurbation) has all the qualities required for such an innovative green chemical site using bio-sourced molecules. Collaboration with major industrial groups in the Auvergne is presently being actively pursued.

The Departement (county) 1 President / 11 Vice-Presidents / / population 342,911*, being 4.4%

of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes / geographic area of 7,340.1 km², being

10.4 % of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes working population 131,600 /

being 4.1% of the total number of people in work in Auvergne-

Rhône-Alpes

www.allier.fr / www.ceea-allier.com *Source : Figures provides by Insee 2013

With a population of 342,900 and 131,000 people in work, the Allier confirms its position as the second most important Departement in the Auvergne. The Departement is organised around the three urban areas of Moulins, Vichy and Montluçon, distributed across the territory. The Allier gets its strength from a strong and quality driven agricultural activity allied to a wide ranging industrial base made up of a rich economic fabric of 15,537 businesses (non-agricultural commercial activities). This includes a number of international groups such as CAP L’Oréal, Arrivé Auvergne, Good Year Dunlop, Adisséo, Sagem Défense Sécurité, Bosch, Socopa Viandes, Wavin, PSA, Compagnie de Vichy, Fleurus, NSE, Ateliers Louis Vuitton.

http://www.allier.fr/http://www.ceea-allier.com/




There are a number of sectors of excellence: - Advanced mechanical engineering (including forge metalwork, metal foundry work, and the automobile industry): 250 companies - 10,100 jobs - Agro-food products (including meat products) : 90 companies - 3,200 jobs - Transport and Logistics: 150 companies - 3,000 jobs - Wood/Timber industry: 350 companies - 1,500 jobs - The luxury goods industry (including leather goods, jewellery, glasswork, wrought-iron craft): 16 companies - 1,300 jobs - Nutrition-Health: 10 companies - 300 jobs - Health, Beauty, Fitness, Thermalism: 30 companies - 1,300 jobs - Environmental Sector: 90 companies - 1,450 jobs

The Region Auvergne / Rhône-Alpes Geographic area of 70,700 km2 / 2nd largest region in France after Midi-Pyrénées-Languedoc-Roussillon

13% of the French metropolitan geographic area / 109 inhabitants per km2 / population 7,808,000 (as at 1

January 2014)

2nd most populated region in France after Ile de France

3.2 million jobs being 12 % of the national total

11.4 % of the French National GDP (second behind Ile de France and ranked sixth in Europe)

4 large University Towns; Lyon, Clermont-Ferrand, Grenoble and Saint-Etienne www.auvergne.fr / www.rhonealpes.fr

A strong Region The Auvergne and Rhône-Alpes Regions now have to build their future together. Each has to bring their strengths and emphasise their distinctive features in order to create a region which will have influence and be respected nationally. In fact Auvergne/Rhône-Alpes will become the 2nd largest region in France in terms of population, and the largest geographically and in terms of GDP. The new region will be more of a union than a fusion, which should provide a better future for the Auvergne and its inhabitants. The two Regional Presidents, Jean-Jacques Queyranne and René Souchon, have created a steering committee and their « practical work » is already bearing fruit. The two regions have already put into place: - mutualised job offers for territorial administration/civil service employees - grouping orders for public authority purchases and contracts - an observatory on secularism enlarged to include the Auvergne - regional sports and sports economy centres via a coordination of the different CREPS - an inter-regional climate change study group - a SME 3000 plan to support SMEs and SMIs with their international development, finance and research.

http://www.auvergne.fr/http://www.rhonealpes.fr/




Furthermore, ViaMeca a competitive cluster dedicated to mechanical engineering, and the Canceropole, devoted to medical research, are already associating the two regions together. Something « concrete » for the union.

Auvergnats by adoption, the driving force behind population growth Contrary to what is largely believed, the Auvergne attracts more young and working people than it does retired people. 1/3 of the population of the Auvergne were not born in the region (the Auvergne is ranked 13th based on this criterion, just behind the Rhône-Alpes); + 21,900 Auvergnats by adoption in 2011 compared with 2006 (+5.3%); 50% of managers in the Auvergne are Auvergnats by adoption; 45% of the Auvergnats by adoption are working; 50% of the 18-25 year olds not born in the region are students.

A Smart Specialisation Strategy for the Auvergne A ‘’S3’’ Smart Specialisation Strategy is an initiative of the European Commission. It measures the difference in competitivity between the EU and the United States of America , and tries to reduce any disparities. For the Auvergne, S3 has been the catalyst for a complete skills map of the region and the identification of strategic orientation choices for the future. 5 « Strategic Domains for Innovation » (SDI) have been identified: - health and prevention, and care and comfort for patients - sustainable agricultural systems - sustainable living areas - physical and digital traceability - intelligent and competitive systems for the factory of the future Particular strategies will be committed for fundamental research and corporate innovation. The Auvergne proposes allocating €54 million of FEDER funds to these two strategies up to 2020. This type of common commitment encourages a strong partnership between private and public actors who can then make a joint vision for the future for each SDI.

Such S3 initiatives are only possible because of the national and regional policies put in place several years ago. This is particularly the case with the emergence of structured centres such as Competitive Clusters, Business Clusters and Clusters of Excellence, bringing together companies in the same sector from the same employment/economic area.

4 Clusters of Excellence in the Auvergne organised by the ARDE (Regional Economic Development Agency);

4 major sectors covered: - Health/Nutrition with Innovatherm (health spa treatments), Analgesia Partnership Antalgiques (analgesics, pain treatment), IRP (probiotics pharmaceuticals), Nutravita

(food-health) ; - Plastics processing with JCEP ; - New technologies with Auvergne TIC ; - Environmental sector with E2IA (innovative environmental-companies), GABI (innovation in wood construction) et Auvergne Efficience Industrielle (industrial metrology).

30 innovative projects launched since 2010; More than 200 companies representing 10,000 jobs.

Editorial: Bénédicte Rollet – Nota Bene
http://www.innovatherm.fr/http://www.analgesiapartnership.com/http://www.analgesiapartnership.com/http://pharmabiotic-ri.org/http://www.nutravita.fr/http://www.jce-plasturgie.com/http://www.auvergnetic.com/http://www.e2ia.fr/http://www.gabi-auvergne.fr/http://www.e-cluster.fr/

VVA an attractive community Conurbation 2015...Economic Panorama of the Vichy Val d’Allier...

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