Shannon’s Relevance as a Strategic Economic Engine for Regional and National Growth Outlined at Shannon Chamber Lunch.
An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar TD, briefed on strategic projects at planning and operational stages in Shannon and the Atlantic Economic Corridor (AEC). Home to the largest cluster of mobile investment outside Dublin and the international gateway to the Atlantic Economic Corridor (AEC) and the Wild Atlantic Way, Shannon’s importance as an economic engine at both regional and national levels was outlined to Taoiseach Varadkar during his visit to Shannon on Saturday the 20th of January.
Welcoming An Taoiseach to Shannon, Chamber director Kevin Thompstone thanked the Taoiseach for his foresight, as Minister for Tourism, Transport and Sport, to give Shannon its independence, which has enabled the airport to grow passenger numbers from 1.2m to 1.7m, with an intended growth level to the 2m passengers per year level.
Mr Thompstone said that the completion of the M17/M18 motorway will put Shannon Airport in the centre of the west of Irelands’ motorways and will help enhance the airport’s growth. Outlining how Shannon Chamber and a group of action oriented Chamber partners along the western seaboard from Kerry to Donegal, have set out to enable the entire western seaboard to contribute to economic growth, through the formation of an active working group, the Atlantic Economic Corridor (AEC).
“The vision of the business leaders involved is to double the population along the corridor and realise its potential through increasing the AEC’s GDP to 3.5 times its current level. This will be achieved by the business and community partnership already in place with Government through the AEC Task Force.” Mr Thompstone stated.
Concluding his remarks with a focus on Shannon as a key town in the centre of the AEC, with a population of 10,000 and a workforce of over 10,000 people commuting daily into the Airport and Free Zone, Mr Thompstone pointed to a key piece of infrastructure missing from Ireland’s first new town of the 20th century.
Shannon is Clare’s second largest town; its economic impact far exceeds other towns of its size. It has a history of innovation and an ability to turn ideas into action, yet, as Mr Thompstone pointed out, it lacks a recognised town centre or heart and streetscape.
“Shannon needs a focal point for community, civic and creative activity,” he added, whilst outlining plans, which have been supported and financially backed to date by the private sector, to develop a response to this glaring need, in the form of a multi-purpose civic, cultural and amenity centre called The Venue Shannon.
“Voluntary effort and private funding to the tune of €0.9 million – 98% from the private sector and the balance from Shannon Town Council – has delivered a turnkey project from concept to strategy to planning, with full planning permission already approved. Government support at national or local level is the critical next step in moving the project forward.
“The completion of this multi-function community, civic and creative centre would be the innovation solution to drive Shannon forward. It would be part of a new beginning, in the same way as the new town concept was in the Lemass and O’Regan eras,” Mr Thompstone concluded.
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