THE CONFIDENT telling and promotion of Limerick’s economic resurgence to attract further investment has been raised another notch with the development of a new brochure that provides an animated snapshot of that success story.
‘This is Limerick’ is a 16-page fact-based brochure that sets out the compelling case that Limerick now is ready for FDI and indigenous companies looking to establish a base in Ireland or expand an existing one.
The production of the brochure, which is available in hard-copy but also online at www.limerick.ie and www.limerickchamber.ie, is also another iteration of one of the corner-stones of Limerick’s success – collaboration between key stakeholders as Limerick City and County Council and the region’s leading business representative organisation, Limerick Chamber have come together to create it.
The brochure is an emphatic statement about Limerick’s strengths as an investment location today and reaffirms the advances made over the past five years or so, not least the 12,000 jobs that have been announced since 2013 and more than €1.7bn of investment by new or existing companies.
Another key figure outlined in the report are the advances in employment rates in Limerick, down from a peak of 17.1% in 2010 to 5.2% in Q1 2018.
It delivers the key demographics sought by potential inward investors, including quality of life and affordability, where Limerick scores particularly strong thanks to it being the most affordable of the country’s largest cities. Additionally, it reveals Limerick has a higher disposable income than the national average – Limerick’s average being €22,848 and second only to Dublin at €24,061.
Other key strengths identified include minimal congestion relative to other Irish cities, and a broad range of tourism, sports and cultural attractions. It also highlights the success of Limerick’s world-class third level institutions, which produce over 24,000 students and 6,000 graduates per year, reinforcing a strong pipeline of talent to support FDI and indigenous companies.
The strong track record in FDI investment evident in Limerick and the Mid-West is referenced, with the Mid-West currently home to 128 IDA Ireland client companies employing over 17,700 staff, and County Limerick having 59 IDA Ireland client companies. Our supportive business environment lays the foundations for sustained growth and an even greater number of FDI and indigenous companies choosing to operate in Limerick.
The joined-up thinking and collaboration evident between key stakeholders, including businesses, third level institutions, representative bodies and statutory bodies are also cited as a formidable strength, particularly in terms of progressing the Limerick Twenty Thirty sites and developing ‘Limerick for IT’ and ‘Limerick for Engineering’.
In addition, the brochure stresses the opportunities to leverage further off the region’s connectivity, being centrally located on the Atlantic corridor and its trade and tourism connectivity through Shannon Airport and Shannon Foynes Port Company.
Laura Ryan, Head of Marketing and Communications with Limerick City and County Council, said: “This Brochure is a very positive reflection of where we are today in Limerick. We have a very positive story to tell and we’ve done that in a very user-friendly way with this. It’s exactly the type of quick content that potential investors look for and if you don’t have the likes of this to put in front of them immediately, you can potentially miss an opportunity.
“It presents a helicopter view of Limerick’s recent success and achievements, which complements the recently launched detailed Economic Data Profiling Report for Limerick commissioned by the Marketing and Communications Department of Limerick City and County Council. This is Limerick makes a bold and creative declaration that it is a hugely attractive and competitive location in which to invest, work, live and play.”
Dr. Gráinne Greehy, Interim CEO with Limerick Chamber commented: “Limerick Chamber is delighted to produce this Brochure, in collaboration with Limerick City and County Council. This is Limerick demonstrates the measurable progress that Limerick has made in recent years, redefining its economic growth potential, winning business and creating jobs.
“This will be a compelling communication tool to support the business community and other stakeholders in promoting Limerick and the wider region as a preferred location choice for investors, FDI and indigenous companies, start-ups, employees and citizens, alike. The brochure demonstrates the strong economic foundations built to date, in terms of our education and connectivity infrastructure, and our ambition to strengthen these even further into the future.”
In addition to presenting facts and figures to illustrate how Limerick is winning, the brochure includes testimonials from key business leaders and stakeholders as to why Limerick is a choice location; including Dan Van Plew (Executive VP and GM Industrial Operations & Product Supply, Regeneron), Catherine Duffy (General Manager, Northern Trust Limerick), Paul Ryan (Director, Technical Support & Site Lead, WP Engine), David Jeffreys (CEO, Action Point) and Dr. Mary Shire (Vice-President of Research at UL and President of Limerick Chamber).
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