To celebrate the diversity and strength of business in the Black Country, the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is once again leading a social media campaign on Friday 14 July in support of Black Country Day and of local Black Country businesses.

The LEP, alongside the 4 Black Country local authorities; Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton, is encouraging local businesses to tweet about their product(s), workplace or staff members.

On Friday 14 July, we would like local businesses to:

• Take a photograph of their product(s), workplace or staff
• Post the picture to Twitter to celebrate Black Country Day
• Include the hashtag #MadeInTheBlackCountry along with any others which might apply (i.e. #manufacturing, #business etc). Please also mention @officialBCday where possible.

On its own, a single tweet holds little power, but a range of tweets from companies celebrating the Black Country and their roots will be noticeable, generating interest in the participating accounts and the wider message.

The 2016 LEP campaign saw over 1,300 tweets issued by almost 500 businesses and individuals using the hashtag #MadeInTheBlackCountry; reaching over 900,000 people. The aim is to build on these figures for 2017.

About Black Country Day

Black Country Day on 14 July, marks the region’s industrial heritage and the anniversary of the invention of the World’s first steam engine, the Newcomen Engine, built in the Black Country in 1712.

Today, the Black Country is still home to a world class manufacturing and engineering base, one of the UKs leading supply chain centres with excellent collaborative research and development opportunities and home to the UKs most successful Enterprise Zones.

Stewart Towe, Chair of the Black Country LEP said: “The Black Country is home to almost 35,000 businesses and we want those businesses to share and celebrate their role within the wider Black Country economy on Friday 14 July.

“With the highest proportion of manufacturing jobs in the UK, our amazing products can be found across the world; in aerospace, automotive and construction - expect it to be #MadeintheBlackCountry. I look forward to celebrating our unique history and our fantastic future on Black Country Day.”

For more information on Black Country Day and why it was established, read this great article from the Express and Star.

There are a number of events and celebrations taking place to celebrate Black Country Day; including Black Country Festival during the month of July.

If you would like to discuss the LEP's social media campaign further and how you can get involved, please contact the marketing team on 01384 471163.