A blueprint to steer the economic development of West Clare was launched by Minister for Defence Tony Killeen, T.D., in Kilrush today.
The West Clare Economic Task Force report contains a six-point plan aimed at developing Enterprise Development and Infrastructure as well as Tourism in the area.
The West Clare Economic Task Force comprises key development agencies in County Clare, including Clare County Council, Kilrush Town Council, Kilkee Town Council, Shannon Development, Kilrush Chamber of Commerce, Kilkee Chamber of Commerce, Clare Local Development Company, FAS, Clare County Enterprise Board, Clare Vocational Education Committee and Enterprise Ireland.
Speaking at today’s launch Minister Killeen said: “The coming together of so many agencies from throughout West Clare and the region to set a roadmap for further developing the economic status of West Clare area is a significant milestone. I have no doubt that the economic development of West Clare will have positive implications for County Clare and the wider Mid West region.”
Task Force Chairman and Mayor of Clare Councillor Christy Curtin Chairman explained that the “Six- point” plan will guide and steer West Clare forward successfully into the future.
He continued: “The objectives set by the Task Force at its conception was to consider the future economic development of West Clare and to identify a number of actions that would assist in improving its economic status in two areas, namely Enterprise Development and Infrastructure along with Tourism”.
“The Task Force consulted a wide range of local community groups with a view to identifying what the community felt was needed to keep the area alive and prosperous. Following on from these consultative sessions, the full Task Force looked at the main areas and set itself the task of identifying a number of key actions which could be progressed cohesively through partnership in these two areas. The Task Force has now set itself the challenge to take this “Six-point” plan a step further and work together at delivering on these actions with the support of the local community”, Councillor Curtin explained.
ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE ACTIONS
1. Undertake an evaluation of existing enterprise accommodation in West Clare, in conjunction with local community interests to provide accommodation in West Clare, to provide accommodation to meet modern day requirements.
- Provide appropriate infrastructure including broadband
- Affordability (rates)
- Market the accommodation to prospective entrepreneurs
2. Develop a brief for a Feasibility stubby to evaluate the potential markets for
horticulture, Mari culture related activities and products in West Clare Area.
3. Work with relevant agencies to produce a detailed international marketing plan for
Shannon Estuary and adjacent Zoned lands in West Clare.
TOURISM ACTIONS
1 - West Clare Tourism Centre.
- Kilrush based
- Centre Of Excellence
- Booking office, Coffee shop, TIO, hospitality desks, Co-Op marketing, water sports, eco-tourism, exhibition area, museum, school tours, wildlife, whale watching.
- Sustainable
2 - Loop Head to Kilkee Coastal Walk / Loop Head Lighthouse Development
3 - Identify & Enhance Points Of Interest In West Clare
- Information Boards in West Clare
- Interpretation
- Dolphin / Whale watching
- Telescope – Loop Head
- Historical Sites
- Geology points
- Bogs
- Environmental awareness
According to Councillor Curtin: “The objective set in the Enterprise Development and Infrastructure area is to create a number of focused actions, with timescales, that can be progressed to improve the economy of West Clare, in which each individual agency can play a specific role.”
“The objective in the Tourism area which is an area of huge potential in West Clare is to deliver additional jobs which will be real / achievable and this will done by way of enhancing and developing existing products. Implementation of this will be through partnership with the various development agencies /groups working together in West Clare”, he concluded.
The West Clare Economic Task Force report contains a six-point plan aimed at developing Enterprise Development and Infrastructure as well as Tourism in the area.
The West Clare Economic Task Force comprises key development agencies in County Clare, including Clare County Council, Kilrush Town Council, Kilkee Town Council, Shannon Development, Kilrush Chamber of Commerce, Kilkee Chamber of Commerce, Clare Local Development Company, FAS, Clare County Enterprise Board, Clare Vocational Education Committee and Enterprise Ireland.
Speaking at today’s launch Minister Killeen said: “The coming together of so many agencies from throughout West Clare and the region to set a roadmap for further developing the economic status of West Clare area is a significant milestone. I have no doubt that the economic development of West Clare will have positive implications for County Clare and the wider Mid West region.”
Task Force Chairman and Mayor of Clare Councillor Christy Curtin Chairman explained that the “Six- point” plan will guide and steer West Clare forward successfully into the future.
He continued: “The objectives set by the Task Force at its conception was to consider the future economic development of West Clare and to identify a number of actions that would assist in improving its economic status in two areas, namely Enterprise Development and Infrastructure along with Tourism”.
“The Task Force consulted a wide range of local community groups with a view to identifying what the community felt was needed to keep the area alive and prosperous. Following on from these consultative sessions, the full Task Force looked at the main areas and set itself the task of identifying a number of key actions which could be progressed cohesively through partnership in these two areas. The Task Force has now set itself the challenge to take this “Six-point” plan a step further and work together at delivering on these actions with the support of the local community”, Councillor Curtin explained.
ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE ACTIONS
1. Undertake an evaluation of existing enterprise accommodation in West Clare, in conjunction with local community interests to provide accommodation in West Clare, to provide accommodation to meet modern day requirements.
- Provide appropriate infrastructure including broadband
- Affordability (rates)
- Market the accommodation to prospective entrepreneurs
2. Develop a brief for a Feasibility stubby to evaluate the potential markets for
horticulture, Mari culture related activities and products in West Clare Area.
3. Work with relevant agencies to produce a detailed international marketing plan for
Shannon Estuary and adjacent Zoned lands in West Clare.
TOURISM ACTIONS
1 - West Clare Tourism Centre.
- Kilrush based
- Centre Of Excellence
- Booking office, Coffee shop, TIO, hospitality desks, Co-Op marketing, water sports, eco-tourism, exhibition area, museum, school tours, wildlife, whale watching.
- Sustainable
2 - Loop Head to Kilkee Coastal Walk / Loop Head Lighthouse Development
3 - Identify & Enhance Points Of Interest In West Clare
- Information Boards in West Clare
- Interpretation
- Dolphin / Whale watching
- Telescope – Loop Head
- Historical Sites
- Geology points
- Bogs
- Environmental awareness
According to Councillor Curtin: “The objective set in the Enterprise Development and Infrastructure area is to create a number of focused actions, with timescales, that can be progressed to improve the economy of West Clare, in which each individual agency can play a specific role.”
“The objective in the Tourism area which is an area of huge potential in West Clare is to deliver additional jobs which will be real / achievable and this will done by way of enhancing and developing existing products. Implementation of this will be through partnership with the various development agencies /groups working together in West Clare”, he concluded.
