Stand-alone economic development body Venture Waitaki was officially launched last week.
About 50 people were present at the group's first public meeting in Oamaru on Friday night and a Venture Waitaki board was voted in.
Elected were Simon Berry (chairman), Tyla Armour (secretary), Adair Craik (treasurer), Alan McLay and Dan Bregmen.
Venture Waitaki will work alongside, but independently of, the Chamber of Commerce and Waitaki District Council.
Its mission statement is: ''Growing strong, vibrant communities through quality economic development''.
The group was formed as a result of a collaboration between the Chamber of Commerce North Otago, the Waitaki District Council and the local business community.
''The topic was really around the economic development space and what we're, as a community, trying to achieve,'' Mr Berry said.
Two focus groups were held before the launch.
''We had a brainstorming session and really went through what the community wants to achieve, how it wants to look like in the future and what we need to do to try to achieve those goals,'' he said.
''What came out of that was; who's going to do it and who's going to pay for it?''
To achieve those goals, Venture Waitaki was formed.
Some of the goals included establishing an economic development role, attracting and retaining significant employers, irrigation development, Alps 2 Ocean development, new housing, beautification and heritage.
Venture Waitaki will work on projects that the community wants which will help achieve those goals, Mr Berry said.
''Money will go into a trust and then any project that fits into that [mission statement] we'll consider,'' Mr Berry said.
Initial support had been ''very positive'' and 30 people had already registered to become members, he said.
New membership subscriptions are being accepted.
The board will meet for the first time this week.
