A pleasant living environment
Created in 1995, the Community of Communes, presided over by Véronique BESSE (also Mayor of Les Herbiers), is composed of 8 communes:
- Beaurepaire
- Les Epesses
- Les Herbiers
- Mesnard-la-Barotière
- Mouchamps
- Saint Mars-la-Réorthe
- Saint Paul-en-Pareds
- Vendrennes
The canton has 28 902 inhabitants and covers 25,000 ha. Le Pays des Herbiers is in the west of France, the country’s 4th largest industrial region. Located at the intersection of two motorways, the canton has undergone extraordinary economic development without sacrificing quality of life.
The key competencies of the intercommunality :
- Development of land and living space
- Economic expansion
- Environment
- Sustainable development
- Management of amenities: aquatic centre, cybercentre, dojo, athletics track, etc…
A policy centred on sustainable development
Since 2005, the Community of Communes has made sustainable development the focus of its public policies, adopting its local Agenda 21 in 2009, a founding action plan comprising 37 concrete projects to be completed in 10 years.
Hailed for its global vision and quality action, the Community of Communes has been awarded several prizes: Ribbons for sustainable development, national Agenda 21 recognition, Prize for urban art.
A joint initiative in economic agility
Le Pays des Herbiers, which is located in north-west Europe, enjoys a leading economic position, acquired through the perpetual agility, daring and innovation of its key players. The territory thus numbers 700 companies, 13,000 jobs and an exceptionally low rate of unemployment (4.9 % in the 4th quarter of 2010, i.e. the 3rd lowest rate in France).
A few examples of thriving businesses in the Le Pays des Herbiers economy:
- Jeanneau, one of the largest yacht manufacturers in the world
- CWF, European leader in high-end childrenswear
- Briand, France’s 2nd largest group in windows and facades
- Le Puy du Fou, 4th largest theme park in France