With membership more than doubling in the past five years, Shannon Chamber is very much on an upward trajectory and has established a very sound footing to introduce yet more new initiatives in 2016. That was the view expressed by the Chamber’s chief executive Helen Downes when reviewing the Chamber’s activities for 2015.
Now representing more than 300 companies in the greater Shannon area, with a total employee number of 10,000, Shannon Chamber’s is focused on being an informed and action-orientated voice of the business community, a voice that informs itself of the issues that concern members, and subsequently engages with stakeholders who can provide solutions to those issues.
Citing particular examples of the Chamber’s voice in action, chief executive Helen Downes said: “We have successfully inputted to a number of recent government publications on behalf of members, most notably the new national aviation policy for Ireland and the Action Plan for Jobs Mid-West and were delighted to note than many of the recommendations we put forward were taken on board in both reports.
“Getting results for the region from undertakings of this nature makes our work very worthwhile. Following Minister Donohoe’s recent visit to Shannon, we have reverted on issues that further concern our members, particularly the high level of commercial rates for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) activities, which act as a barrier to expansions.
“With regard to rates generally, following consultation with members, we have made a submission to Clare County Council outlining members’ concerns and are now waiting to enter discussions with the Council as we believe the commercial rates system needs reviewing, nationally and locally.
