The Blue Crane Route Municipality, (referred to as BCRM) is situated in the Western Region of the Eastern Cape Province. The Western region (Cacadu District Municipality) consists of nine local municipalities, of which the Blue Crane is the largest in size. The BCRM incorporates the towns of Somerset East (Municipal seat of the BCRM), Cookhouse and Pearston and covers an area of approximately 9914 square kilometres with a population + 40 000.

In 2001 the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) was requested, by government, to establish development agencies which could assist with the Local Economic Development function of the municipality through the identification and implementation of larger projects. The projects would in turn have a major economic impact on local municipalities and their communities.The Blue Crane Development Agency (BCDA) was established in February 2004 with the mission to conceptualise opportunities and facilitate sustainable developmental projects related to Agriculture, Business and Tourism to the benefit of all citizens with special emphasis on job creation and BEE opportunities. The agency is a legal entity that can operate independently, to fulfil its mandate.  The BCDA drafted an Integrated Development Plan (IDP) through which the agency could identify and address key development projects which would focus on the expansion of the local economy as well as job creation.

These projects are all registered in the municipalities Integrated Development Plan and are also a priority for the municipality. The BCDA has gained support from the private sector in the relevant towns as well. The BCDA are currently funded solely by the IDC which is why the agency needs to develop successful projects which would benefit the local economy as well as create sustainability through the generation of income.

Vision

"To be an internationally recognised model Agency for the delivery of sustainable developmental projects in a rural context."

Mission

"To conceptualise opportunities and facilitate sustainable developmental projects related to Agriculture, Business and Tourism to the benefit of all citizens with special emphasis on job creation and BEE opportunities."