Online collaborative initiative promotes the benefits of Atlantic Economic Corridor
- Foilsithe: 29 Meitheamh 2018
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 11 Aibreán 2025
Nine counties join forces to highlight the economic opportunity along Ireland’s western seaboard, as Minister Seán Kyne launches new online hub Atlantic Economic Corridor
Minister for Community Development, Natural Resources and Digital Development Seán Kyne, T.D., will today (29 June) in NUI Galway launch the Atlantic Economic Corridor website.
Businesses and agencies in nine counties stretching from Kerry to Donegal have joined forces to launch an online hub for the Atlantic Economic Corridor to drive interest in the west coast as a great place to live and work, and attract further investment to the region.
The Atlantic Economic Corridor website will act as a one-stop shop offering information on the advice and supports for people thinking of setting up a business in the region, or for those interested in relocating and creating an Atlantic-coast lifestyle for themselves or their families.
The development of the Atlantic Economic Corridor is a long-term collaborative initiative encompassing Ireland’s business community, national and local government, higher education sector, and public bodies. The partnership driven by the Atlantic Economic Corridor Taskforce aims to nurture entrepreneurialism and innovation, encourage infrastructural investment, attract foreign direct investment and support indigenous companies with global ambitions.
Commenting on the website Minister Kyne, said:
“A wide range of companies have already discovered the benefits of the Atlantic Economic Corridor as a place to do business. Across a range of industries, enterprises of all sizes can avail of increased business opportunities and tap into the wealth of skills available through our educated and dynamic workforce. Through this website we can attract more investment to the west of Ireland and show what a great place Ireland’s western seaboard is to live in.
“The development of the AEC is a long-term project. Launching this website is very much an initial step in our work, but it is also an important step. It enables us to get the message out that the AEC is the ideal location for businesses to set-up and expand. It shows that many major businesses are already established along the corridor, that we have the infrastructure and skills necessary to support modern businesses, and that business and Government are working closely together to further develop the AEC in the coming years.”
The region represented by the AEC has a total population of 1.7 million people and is home to a wide range of successful businesses, including ambitious start-ups, established multinationals, and indigenous Irish firms prospering in global markets. The region boasts a number of higher education institutions producing a steady supply of graduates across a wide range of industries, making it an ideal location for enterprises wishing to tap into a high skilled workforce.
Shannon Chamber of Commerce board director and operations director with medical device manufacturer Zimmer Biomet, Claude Costelloe, said:
“As a business which employs in excess of 600 people in our facilities in Shannon and Galway, we see the value that can be derived from addressing the untapped potential of an entire region, linking cities and rural areas, and the transformative potential it has for concentrating investment and innovation across a ‘place’ of scale.”
David Minton, director of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly (NWRA) who is a member of the AEC taskforce, said:
“The Atlantic Economic Corridor is not about city or county. It’s not about boundaries or catchments. It’s about collective vision, fueled by the potential of economic opportunity.
“As citizens and people of the Atlantic region we know that we live in one of the most beautiful and best places in the world. Something innately connects our cities, towns and villages as well as our industry, entrepreneurs and multinationals. This connection now has a home as the Atlantic Economic Corridor.”
ENDS
Note to editors
About the Atlantic Economic Corridor
The Programme for a Partnership Government included a commitment to progress the concept of an Atlantic Economic Corridor (AEC) with the potential to contribute to effective regional development by complementing Ireland’s thriving East Coast.
The Atlantic Economic Corridor Taskforce was established in March 2017 to progress the AEC initiative. Minister of State Seán Kyne chairs the Taskforce which includes senior representatives from the business sector, key Government Departments, other public bodies, and Third Level institutions.
The development of the Atlantic Economic Corridor is a long-term collaborative initiative encompassing Ireland’s business community, national and local government, higher education sector, and public bodies.
The Irish Government has recognised the importance and potential of the AEC in Project Ireland 2040, the over-arching national policy that provides a framework for-long term planning and investing in Ireland’s future. The development of the AEC is central to both the Northern and Western Region and the Southern Region and features prominently in both the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan.
The Department of Rural and Community Development is supporting the project by providing funding of €30,000 to each of the 10 local authorities (Donegal County Council, Leitrim County Council, Sligo County Council, Roscommon County Council, Mayo County Council, Galway County Council, Galway City Council, Clare County Council, Limerick City and County Council, Kerry County Council) to support the designation of an AEC Officer in their authority who will help to develop and promote the AEC initiative while supporting the work of the Taskforce and its sub groups.
The website launched today is the first step in a communications strategy for the AEC. The website provides a wide range of information across the following topics: Start & Grow, Invest, Live and Visit.