Do business

A business incubator situated in the Valdegour district that can accommodate 14 companies over 1000m2 of office and studio spaces; the EERIE Campus, which is home to engineering schools, CNAM, a SAUR training centre, a FabLab, technology platforms in sectors such as wildfire suppression, risk management (chronic and emergent risks with environmental impacts on health, major risks, instrumentation, monitoring methods, etc.), metrology, biotechnology, innovative therapy, medical devices and longevity; a startup accelerator focusing on the future of tourism; an incubator for innovative companies; and a co-working space run and lead by BIC Innov’Up

Be part of the area’s draw — develop job opportunities and enhance the well-being of its residents

Regional authorities and public establishments for cooperation between local authorities are defined not just by their functions as economic agents, they must also assume a distinct role vis-à-vis companies and economic actors.
As a matter of fact, citizens increasingly expect elected representatives to protect and create jobs. To achieve this, there needs to be a favourable environment for:

• receiving, creating and establishing new companies and businesses.
• the further development of existing economic actors in the area.

Nîmes Métropole regards economic development as a top priority for the area’s development and the primary vehicle for its operations in the coming years. Nîmes Métropole is taking action, structuring itself around key areas and sectors by promoting the creation of skilled and strategic jobs.

The core elements of the community strategy for economic development can be adapted to an operational level.

This mission aims to offer companies a structuring and high-performance professional environment, as manifested in business parks that are exemplary in terms of sustainable development and that fulfil Nîmes Métropole’s commitment to the eco-planning of its Commercial Zones (management of energy, water, green space, etc.). That means:

• Community-initiative business parks: Actiparcs (Mitra Georges Besse Grézan and Bouillargues),
• Business parks that have become community-based through implementation of the NOTRe law. Namely, 21 Commercial Zones in total + planned expansions and parks: Grézan 5; TEC 2; Magna Porta

Nîmes Métropole has built this plan in close coordination with member municipalities. It consists in supporting municipalities that wish to initiate the following actions:

• Strengthen business offering in relation to population growth,
• Maintain a balance between various forms of distribution (large-scale distributors, traditional retail shops),
• Promote better local network of artisanal business offerings and local services,
• Encourage more local businesses in town centres, districts and Downtown Nîmes,
• Renovate or support change in deteriorated business hubs, especially in disadvantaged urban neighbourhoods.

Since January 1, 2017, Nîmes Métropole holds the tourism competence, “promotion of tourism, including the creation of tourist offices”, under the NOTRe law introduced on 7 August 2015. This has led to the transfer of the Saint-Gilles tourist office to the local authority and the creation of a Tourist Consortium.

The consortium’s objective is to boost, coordinate and combine the actions of the area’s various tourism development stakeholders, so as to contribute to:

• Developing tourism infrastructure
• Organising and promoting the area and its tourism

Supporting and developing the face-to-face economy means:

• Expanding the variety on offer in higher education and public research,
• Bolstering initiatives within the agricultural sector, especially short food supply chains,
• Supporting companies established within municipalities’ urban fabric to relocate to Commercial Zones

And help structures that support companies and project leaders:

• BIC de Nîmes, Initiative-Gard
• The 4 competitiveness clusters approved by the State (SAFE, Eurobiomed, Optitec and Aerospace Valley)
• It means thinking of economic development based on the work-live-move triad

Offering events that keep heads of companies informed, boosts the area’s economic life and helps create leadership networks.

• Nîmes Métropole’s Morning Show
• Support for events, competitiveness cluster meetings and conferences co-organised or hosted by Nîmes Métropole.
• The EERIE site and the Colosseum are two suitable places for hosting these events, and are identified with Nîmes Métropole
• Make Commercial Zones lively places

Creating a Nîmes Metropolitan area ambassador network

The Nîmes Metropolitan area abounds with men and women who tirelessly contribute to building an area that’s always more enterprising, more welcoming and more united.
This reality is conveyed in Nîmes Métropole’s message, “proud of our future” – a common future that should be shared with all those who want to set up, create and do business in our area.
The initiative aims to mobilise men and women of goodwill who want to get involved, alongside Nîmes Métropole, in the area’s development and play a part in bolstering its reputation, its draw and its ability to welcome professional talent. They would also help spread an economic culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, vitalise the area and develop the flow of business expansion projects.
This initiative, led by Nîmes Métropole and OpeNîmes Métropole, is to be spread as widely as possible among organisations, companies and individuals.

For several years, Nîmes Métropole has been committed to working alongside the agricultural sector to assist industry development and structuring, primarily through its support of initiatives that promote and enhance local production.