The Profile and Local Impact of Cornwall: Geography, Community, and Investment
Cornwall is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is one of the Celtic nations and the homeland of the Cornish people. The county is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, Devon to the east, and the English Channel to the south. Cornwall is the westernmost part of the South West Peninsula, and the southernmost county within the United Kingdom. Its coastline is characterised by steep cliffs and, to the south, several rias, including those at the mouths of the rivers Fal and Fowey.
The following table provides an overview of the county's demographics and geographic data as of 2024:
| Statistic | Value |
| Area | 3,562 km2 (1,375 sq mi) |
| Population (2024) | 585,655 |
| Density | 164/km2 (420/sq mi) |
| Largest town | Camborne |
| Ethnicity (White) | 96.8% |
Community Hubs and Local Initiatives
The Hughes Memorial Union is a community hub that promotes learning, work, wellness and the local economy. It encompasses The Local, a market for farmers and artisans, The Union, a venue for collaborating, and The Hughes Memorial Library, held in trust for future growth. The Union is a venue for collaborating and holds a meeting space, free of charge, and The Wellness Collective, dedicated to health and well-being with weekly classes by local practitioners open to the public. However, please note that the Union is unavailable until further notice as we try and solve our heating issue in the back of the building.
Central to the hub is The Local, which is your neighborhood shop filled with local meat, fresh locally baked bread and sweets along with crafts and creations all available for purchase with 90% of the proceeds returned to the vendor. Our goal is to enrich the community while honoring the original intentions of our donors. Furthermore, The Wellness Collective was created with community in mind. Weekly yoga, wellness and dance classes mean there is a place for everyone.
Operations and Scheduling
- The Local Hours: Fridays: 12-4, Saturdays: 11-5.
- The Wellness Collective: By class schedule in calendar.
- Location: 415 Sharon Goshen Turnpike, P.O. Box 4, West Cornwall, CT 06796.
Regional Economic Development and Impact Investing
In terms of broader regional growth, the Cornwall Pension Fund has launched its new Cornwall Local Impact portfolio to channel LGPS investment into affordable private rental housing and renewables in the county. This new portfolio has been launched as an elective service to meet the specific criteria set by Cornwall Pension Fund, which centre on achieving local impact. The portfolio targets a net 5.0% annual internal rate of return over a rolling 7-10-year period.
The portfolio is structured across three distinct mandates, as shown in the table below:
| Mandate | Focus Area | Allocation |
| Affordable Housing | High quality private rental homes for working people and families | More than 55% |
| UK Renewables | Investment in the Greencoat Renewable Income fund | Remaining balance |
| Cornwall Gardens | Targeting new renewable assets specifically in Cornwall | Remaining balance |
As Charles Crowe, Senior Portfolio Manager at PGIM Real Estate, stated, whilst Cornwall is a popular tourist destination, it is also one of the most economically challenged regions in the country. This investment enables us to combine our fiduciary responsibilities to our members with delivering positive social and environmental outcomes in our county. This effort also supports the decarbonisation of the county and provides a framework for others to follow.