CCMA Report on Supporting Enterprise Local Development and Economic Growth 2012

Supporting Enterprise,
Local Development
and Economic Growth
ANALYSIS OF LOCAL AUTHORITY
ACTIVITIES FOR 2012

Table of Contents

Section One: Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 2
1.1 Local Government in Transition .................................................................................................... 2
1.2 Action Plan for Jobs ....................................................................................................................... 4
1.3 Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) ...................................................................................................... 4
1.4 CCMA Research on Local Authorities Supporting Enterprise ........................................................ 5
Section Two: Summary of Research....................................................................................................... 7
2.1 Research Results: Summary Description of Activities .................................................................. 7
2.2 General Findings ............................................................................................................................ 9
2.3 Links to National Jobs Plan .......................................................................................................... 10
2.4 Financial Incentives by Local Authorities .................................................................................... 11
2.5 Direct / Indirect support for business networking events .......................................................... 13
2.6 Promotion/Marketing of Local Areas .......................................................................................... 14
2.7 Provision of Recreation/Amenity Facilities ................................................................................. 15
2.8 Infrastructure and Enterprise ...................................................................................................... 15
2.9 Festivals/Events/Tourism, Heritage and Sporting Events ........................................................... 16
2.10 Collaborative Ventures .............................................................................................................. 16
Section Three: Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 18
3.1 Local Diversity is Strength ........................................................................................................... 18
3.2 Recommendations: How should local authorities use this research? ........................................ 19
Appendix 1: Selected Examples of Enterprise & Employment Supports .......................................... 20

Supporting Enterprise, Local Development and Economic Growth – Analysis of Local Authority Activities for 2012
Report by County and City Managers’ Association (CCMA)
The full database of activities can be downloaded at www.lgma.ie/publications
1

Section One: Introduction

1.1 Local Government in Transition
Local government today is a sector in transition. According to a recent review of the year in local
government, “2012 was notable both in terms of structural changes proposed and in terms of policy
decisions on a range of reforms that will shape the local government landscape in the coming years”
(Administration vol. 60, no. 4 (2013): 21). These include the decision to establish Irish Water,
proposals outlined in Putting People First to enhance local government functions and reform its
structures and a decision to introduce a Local Property Tax. The Sectoral Strategy1 on Enterprise and
Jobs envisages a broad, enhanced role for local government acting as a local “engine for growth”.2

In examining how local government can contribute to enterprise and job creation in future, it is
important to understand the very substantial role already played by local authorities in this area.
Although their remit is narrow in an international context, Irish local authorities still retain quite broad
powers to positively influence their local community and to support enterprise and employment
initiatives.

Irish local government functions include:
 a strong representative role; as a provider of local services;
 acting as an agent of central government;
 a role as a local regulator;3
 Local authorities are also responsible for state capital investment in housing and water
services, and for provision and improvement of local facilities, roads, urban / village
enhancement schemes, and other infrastructure, including rural broadband.

Local authorities retain functions essential for the promotion of economic development in a local area.
Such functions include the physical planning remit to make towns and counties more attractive places
to live, work and invest; the capacity to directly invest in roads, water, recreation, enterprise, tourism,
heritage and cultural assets. Importantly, local authorities can acquire land/property in order to
perform any of their functions.4

The functions of Local Authorities are also reflected in the nature of properties/lands held. These
range from: social housing, housing regeneration projects, landfill and civic amenity sites, community

1
http://www.environ.ie/en/LocalGovernment/PublicationsDocuments/FileDownLoad,30643,en.pdf.
2
See http://www.lgma.ie/en/news/ccma-report-local-authority-support-enterprise-and-business for examples of
what local authorities do.
3
Part 9 Chapter 1 of the Local Government Act 2001; Callanan and Keogan (2003): 9.
4
See section 213 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000.
2

and leisure centres, fire stations, roads, civic offices, market buildings, multi-storey car parks, parks
and open spaces, heritage sites and buildings, libraries, art galleries, enterprise incubation units, one-
stop shops, town centre development, industrial and economic development, water and sewage
installations, halting sites, bridges, river amenities, piers & harbours.

In addition, under the Local Government Act, 2001, local authorities have a general power of
“competence” to promote their local area as follows:

“A Local authority may take such measures, engage in such activities or do such
things in accordance with the law (including the incurring of expenditure) as it
considers necessary or desirable to promote the interests of the local community”
(Local Government Act, 2001).

This is generally achieved through the development of economic strategies for local areas, including
branding of towns and cities as part of tailored investment or tourism strategies. Local authorities
generally acquire land/sites to facilitate urban renewal/development in accordance with the objectives
of statutory development plans. On an ongoing basis, the purchase and sale of land under Section 183
of the Planning & Development Act is a significant part of a local authority’s statutory duty as a
planning and development authority. Local authorities can make strategic land investments in local
communities e.g. site assembly for future town centre regeneration, or in order to positively influence
private sector investment.

In 2001, the Twentieth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland provided Constitutional recognition
for local government for the first time. According to Article 28 A: “The State recognises the role of
local government in providing a forum for the democratic representation of local communities, in
exercising and performing at local level powers and functions conferred by law and in promoting by
its initiatives the interests of such communities.”

Constitutional recognition offers a framework in which the functions and roles of local government
can be enhanced over time, in line with the needs of local communities. The central “place-making”5
role, whereby local authorities are involved in planning local communities around the needs of citizens
helps to explain why they also have such an important role to play in enterprise and job creation.

5
For a good description of the local authority role in “place-making”, see presentation from Joe Crockett, Kilkenny County
Manager here: http://ourplan.kilkenny.ie/sites/default/files/Kilkenny%20Placemaking%20-Economic%20Development.pdf
3

1.2 Action Plan for Jobs
The Action Plan for Jobs 20126 set out over 270 separate actions with delivery spanning all
Government Departments and involving a range of state and non-state actors. The Government has
committed to updating its Action Plans for Jobs (ACJ) on an annual basis. Section 6.5 of the Action
Plan refers to local government’s role as follows:

Develop a new sectoral strategy to promote employment, and support local enterprise
by local government, to include measures in the area of business charges, local
enterprise and business support arrangements, procurement support, local
development and community based initiatives, the Green Economy and local
government participation in employment support schemes.

These measures will complement, and assist in the delivery at a local level, of other
actions set out in this Action Plan.

On 27 September 2012, the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil
Hogan published a Sectoral Strategy on Jobs, Supporting Economic Recovery and Jobs – Locally.7
The document complemented the broader government plan, and highlights the existing contribution by
local authorities to jobs and enterprise.

The Strategy further:
- underpinned local government’s pro-active stance in supporting enterprise and economic
development;
- acknowledged that “the role of local government is fundamental to enterprise support and
economic development at local level”;
- highlighted the broad range of activities where local government actively drives the local
economic agenda; and
- concluded that: “local government support on the ground is critical to the success of
initiatives ranging from support for FDI and micro-enterprises, to rural broadband or major
investment in wind farms and the green economy...”

1.3 Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs)
As part of the Action Plan for Jobs, the government also decided to replace County and City
Enterprise Boards (CEBs) with Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) which will act as “one stop shops” to
deliver enterprise supports through the local government system. The CCMA welcome the decision of
the Government in this regard and the CCMA are centrally involved in the implementation process
and are committed to ensuring their establishment in 2013. In terms of local authority actions for this

6
Link to national action plan for jobs: www.djei.ie/publications/2012APJ.pdf
7
www.environ.ie/en/Publications/LocalGovernment/Administration/FileDownLoad,31194,en.pdf
4

and following years, implementation of the Governments decision in 2012 to establish LEOs will be a
key priority for all local authorities.

1.4 CCMA research on Local Authorities Supporting Enterprise
In support of the sectoral action plan in 2012, the CCMA published a report which identified over
2,000 separate local activities in 2011 which had a positive impact on local development, economic
recovery and enterprise. The Report on 2011 activities was a first attempt to map the broad range of
enterprise supports delivered by local authorities and link them to the Action Plan for Jobs.8 The
Report was accompanied by a searchable database detailing actions at individual local authority level.
The database gave a “snapshot” of the full range of enterprise activities carried out by the local
government sector at a given time.

Under a renewed Action Plan for Jobs 2013, the CCMA is required to produce an update reviewing
“actions/projects/activities undertaken by Local Authorities which can be seen to contribute to local
development, enterprise support and economic growth...” (Action 226). 9 In line with this requirement,
the CCMA has produced Local Authority Support for Enterprise & Economic Development, a Report
on Activities for 2012. This update report briefly reviews activity in local government during 2012
based on new material submitted by each County and City Councils.

The added value from this report is as follows:
1. The extent of local government’s role in this area is often undervalued and may not be fully
understood by all stakeholders. The focus of the analysis is to link local authority actions to
positive outcomes for businesses, employment and local communities.
2. The secondary purpose is to showcase the experience and unique capability of local
authorities in the area of economic development.
3. The 2012 Report provides summary analysis of current levels of activity and enterprise and
business supports provided by local authorities using the baseline data from each county / city
council for 2012. The main output is the National Database which has been refreshed since
last year, taking into account a range of positive actions identified by local authorities for the
year 2012.
4. It is intended to publish and circulate the final formatted database for use by local authorities
and to help share examples of innovation at local level.
5. Case studies cited in this report (Appendix 1) can help to inform Local Action Plans and to
identify individual projects which can be replicated elsewhere or extended nationally.10

8
http://www.lgma.ie/en/news/ccma-report-local-authority-support-enterprise-and-business
9
http://www.djei.ie/publications/2013APJ.pdf
10
In this regard, it should be noted that a number of local authorities have already presented their completed templates to councillors or
to senior management teams with positive feedback.
5

6. Each local authority is also asked to publish locally its individual “Template”, giving a
“helicopter view” of some of the main actions taken in support of enterprise and economic
development.

6

Section Two: Summary of Research
2.1 Research Results: Summary Description of Activities

 Responses were received from 34 County/City Councils ensuring a complete
response within a tight timeframe;
 Modifications/edits were made to individual responses before being incorporated
into the database;
 Costings are included where available; however, in some instances, this data is not
available or was impossible to record;
 In some instances, it is difficult to quantify outcomes delivered (for example where
a particular tourism event has been supported or local authorities may not have
statistics on total number of attendees etc.);
 In spite of the limitations of the data as outlined above, nevertheless the
information is useful as it links local authority investment and current activities to
final outcomes. The information also provides an interesting snapshot of what each
local authority actually does to support employment and business activity.

Much the same approach to analysis has been taken in 2012 as in 2011. Collated responses were used
to develop a simple database giving a picture of activity levels and outputs throughout the sector. By
examining the data, it is possible to map the broad spectrum of activities where local authority support
on the ground is essential to implementing the 2012 Action Plan for Jobs.

The research identified 2,382 separate actions/projects/activities undertaken by local authorities in
2012 which contribute to local development, enterprise support and economic growth. This is broadly
on a par with the findings from the 2011 survey. Table 1 below offers a high level summary of
categories of activity reported.

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Table 1: Summary of Activities Undertaken by Local Authorities
Description of Activity No. of Local
Authority
Actions Identified
1. Financial Support for festivals and events
465
2. Infrastructure Development
330
3. Provision of Recreation/Amenity Facilities
227
4. Economic Promotion including information dissemination
193
5. Financial Incentives by local authority
182
6. Creating an entrepreneurial environment
141
7. Enterprise Infrastructure 140
8. Establish Collaborative Structures focusing on economic
development 128
16. Expenditure on Recreation/ Amenity Facilities 109
11. Service Enhancements/Integration within local authority 103
15. Policies
92
10. Creation of Networking Opportunities/Structures
86
13. Research and Innovation 71
14. Developing employment initiatives within community
62
12. Labour Activation Measures 53

Total 2,382

8

Graph 1: Summary of Activities by Category

Taken together, the responses represent a rich and diverse body of evidence highlighting the positive
and ongoing contribution by local authorities to the national recovery effort.

2.2 General Findings
It could be argued that the local authority role in promoting local or regional enterprise tends to be
undervalued. This is because, as many supports provided by local authorities are indirect, it is often
difficult to directly link the local authority role to positive outcomes such as jobs supported or jobs
sustained. However this research conclusively demonstrates that local authorities collaborate on a
daily basis with the business community and a network of national / local agencies, providing a key
enabling role in a myriad of activities which ultimately yield valuable and significant job dividends.

Local authority input is evident across the full spectrum of actions outlined in the national strategy.
Indeed, the research strongly suggests that the role of local government is fundamental to enterprise
support and economic development at a local level.

Perhaps the most notable finding from the two years of this study is that local government activities to
support enterprise span a much broader range of activities than previously acknowledged. It highlights
the important role played by local authorities in the delivery of tourism, cultural and heritage assets,
along with the delivery of priority infrastructure needed to underpin economic recovery.
9

Graph 2: Employment and enterprise supports provided by local authorities

2.3 Links to National Jobs Plan
Each action in the database was then linked back to the national strategy (see National Database for
specific links). Graph 3 below links over 95% of actions taken by local authorities in 2012 to the 2012
Action Plan for Jobs.
Graph 3: Links between LA Actions in 2012 and the National Action Plan for Jobs (2012)

Note: Derived from National Enterprise Support Database 2012.
10

For example, roughly 20% of all actions relate to Tourism supports of some sort which fall under
Section 7.8 of the National Action Plan for Jobs. Around 6.6% of all local authority actions relate to
1.4, which refers to the need to deliver- on priority infrastructure to help businesses and develop a
growth strategy.

2.4 Financial Incentives by Local Authorities
As noted in the Sectoral Strategy of the Local Government Sector to Promote Employment and
Support Local Enterprise, “Local authorities have responded positively in recent years to requests to
exercise restraint in setting commercial rates. In 2011, 68 local authorities froze their ARVs at 2011
levels, and 19 reduced theirs.11 Overall, the average change of ARV from 2011 to 2012 shows a
decrease of 0.31%.” Historically, the annual increase in the rateable multiplier (technically referred to
as the Annual Rateable Valuation) was in excess of the rate of inflation. Between 1998 and 2008 the
annual average change in the rateable valuation during this period was +5.2%. This historic trend
compares with a sharp decrease of -.5% between 2010 and 2012.

Graph 4: Annual Average % Change in the Rate Multiplier1999 – 2012

As Graph 5 below shows, local authorities have continued this trend of freezing / reducing commercial
rates charges for the 2012 / 2013 period. Out of 34 County / City Councils, 8 local authorities reduced
their rate multiplier for 2013 while the remainder of rates charges remained unchanged. This contrasts

11
It should be noted that one local authority has increased its ARV and will continue to increase it until 2015, but this is a
technical adjustment and legal requirement following the extension of a town boundary.
11

with the approach taken in some other jurisdictions where commercial rates generally increase by a
minimum of the inflation rate.

Graph 5: % Change in Rate Multiplier 2012 - 2013

Additional measures recorded in the database confirm that all local authorities are being very
pragmatic in trying to assist ratepayers.

This is achieved through the following measures:
 Freezing / reducing commercial water charges where appropriate, such that this represents a
subsidy to business relative to the true cost of providing the service. All councils are working
actively with local businesses to put payment plans into place with customers in arrears, and to
make other flexible arrangements to pay monies owed. Measures taken by local authorities to
assist businesses with debt management plans include the non-application of interest or
financial penalties for late payment, or where payment plans are entered into. This assists
ratepayers with cash flow and reduces the pressure that a single payment might bring. It
should be noted that the widespread application of payment plans across the local authority
sector effectively increases the cost of interest for local authorities and represents a subsidy for
businesses.
 Most Councils introduce reductions in car parking charges during peak holiday periods, where
appropriate (e.g. provided that local research demonstrates the positive benefits of such
measures, having regard to local traffic management policies, and environmental policies) to
attract shoppers to town centres at Christmas, or other peak periods;
12

 Many local authorities are in the process of, or have already reviewed their development
contribution schemes to reduce charges in order to stimulate new development in specific
areas;
 A number of local authorities have also introduced innovative new business incentive schemes
to encourage start-up businesses in vacant properties, within current constraints;
 Cork County / City Councils have ring-fenced 1% of commercial rates income to establish an
Economic Development Fund which is used to support a number of strategic investments to
the benefit of the County (further details are contained in the Database).

2.5 Direct/Indirect support for business networking events
The database also confirms the growing importance of an emerging role local authorities are playing
in fostering local innovation and entrepreneurship. Evidence in the database confirms that this is being
achieved in partnership with business partners such as Chambers Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, local
universities, institutes of technology and enterprise boards etc.

In spite of reduced funding from all sources, local authorities are continuing to provide direct / indirect
support for business networking events, entrepreneurial support programmes and leadership and other
training programmes that benefit SMEs and start-up companies. Although in most cases, the level of
funding involved may be relatively modest; staff resources and local authority support often mean that
projects can leverage other sources of national and European funding. All of this demonstrates that
local authorities are developing closer links with business groupings and that they will undoubtedly
play a much broader role in enterprise support than initially envisaged in the Action Plan for Jobs.

One positive example of an area where local authorities are providing expert assistance is in energy
management. At national and local level, local authorities work in partnership with Sustainable Energy
Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to champion energy efficiency initiatives. On the ground, local authorities
are also working to encourage best practice in the business community. Table 3 below provides a
number of examples of how local authorities actively work with business partners to help them reduce
their energy and environmental costs.

13

Table 3: Examples of local authority advice to business on energy cost reductions
Local Authority Details
Carlow County Council Carlow – carried out SEAI Better energy communities pilot 2012. Bagenalstown Better
Energy Communities Pilot Project 2013 - Provided sustainable energy heating processes
at 2 no. Schools, BEAM Care Centre, 10 local authority homes and McGrath Community
Hall /local authority building – eliminating the use of fossil fuels and considerably
reducing energy bills. New systems include geothermal, air/water heat pumping, solar
energy, upgrading of insulation and installation of energy efficient lighting. Monitoring
indicates that energy savings of not less than 50% have been achieved and with
considerable quality improvements.

Dublin City Council and Fingal The Greenway project – this is a collaborative project involving private sector companies,
County Council a number of state / semi-state organisations and academic institutions with the aim of
establishing a cleantech cluster in Dublin. Fingal County Council and Dublin City Council
are involved in this collaborative venture. As part of this project, Fingal County Council
and Dublin City Council are working with Glen Dimplex on designing intelligent home
heaters using integrated smart controls which are being trialled in Fingal and Dublin City
housing stock.

Dublin City Council / CODEMA On a different scale, Dublin City Council’s Department of Planning and Economic
Development is heading the Sustainable Energy Community project which is being
managed by the Dublin energy agency, CODEMA. The SEC is a 5 year partnership
between DCC and SEAI with the aim of co-ordinating energy projects and attracting
financial support from national and European programmes. The SEC was established in
2012, and was a winner of the SEAI competition for exemplar sustainable energy
communities. The additional “triple helix” members of the Steering Committee are
Google, Siemens, TrinityHaus, Ballymun Regeneration, and DIT Grangegorman Campus.

Kildare County Council The Council has entered into a strategic partnership with SEAI to promote a range of
energy efficiency projects. This has allowed the Council to target significant energy
efficiency savings in delivery of water services; knowledge gained will allow the local
authority to champion energy efficiency at a local level.

Meath County Council Used Sustainable business network to reduce energy costs for 20 local businesses 9 local
businesses involved in the green energy sector given technical assistance

South Dublin County Council In 2012, in conjunction with the Council’s sign-up to the European Covenant of Mayors’
Protocol, the Council hosted a week long ‘Connect with Energy’ initiative, the purpose of
which was to raise awareness of energy issues amongst homeowners and businesses.

Under this initiative, the Council raises awareness of sustainability and reducing cost
opportunities for business in energy costs. 18 energy workshops were carried out for
public and business in addition to an energy exhibition. 168 members of the public
registered for workshops.

The Council is also investigating the development of a renewable energy ESCO (energy
services company) to deliver power in Tallaght town centre and Grange Castle.

2.6 Promotion/Marketing of Local Areas
Another key finding of the research is that local authorities devote significant resources and time to the
marketing, promotion and branding of counties/cities, and of particular enterprises and tourism
products within the local area. 193 of all actions identified relate to this category and demonstrate the

14

important role that local authorities play in cultivating and promoting local cultural and heritage
products to the benefit of local business and employment.

The 2012 data suggests that local authorities are increasingly targeting their investment in promotional
activities to niche or growth markets in line with regional or local economic policies devised in
partnership with local stakeholders.

2.7 Provision of Recreation/Amenity Facilities
During 2012, local authorities provided support and constructed, or assisted in the planning of, over
227 separate projects relating to a broad range of recreation and amenities facilities. These range from
small-scale tourism mapping projects to large scale development of heritage sites, theatres, museums,
greenways and river walkways.

Taken together, these findings are significant given that the 2012 national Action Plan for Jobs
referred to “over 200” tourist events supported at national level. In overall terms, the research
underlines the important contribution made by local authorities in areas such as the national tourism
strategy.

2.8 Infrastructure and Enterprise
Local authorities are well placed to act as engines for growth by enhancing the attractiveness of towns
and counties as to work, live and visit. Core local authority functions include planning and
development and the provision of local infrastructure. In particular, the Development Plan is a
framework which underpins economic growth and employment. In collaboration with national
agencies, they set up business parks and incubation units; invest in streetscape and village renewal
schemes, or support pop-up shops, shop front painting campaigns and local markets.

This is confirmed in the economic templates which highlight the significant number of
infrastructure/enterprise projects implemented by local authorities. Approximately 330 infrastructure
projects were supported in 2012, ensuring towns and counties have adequate water/sewerage capacity,
road infrastructure, broadband and other supports to encourage future industry and employment.
Similarly the database shows that during 2012, local authorities were involved in establishing or
supporting over 140 enterprise infrastructure projects, including enterprise centres and incubation
spaces.

15

2.9 Festivals/Events/Tourism, Heritage and Sporting Events
As with 2011, the survey once again confirms that local authorities are the prime local actors
delivering most of the heritage, cultural, tourism, green enterprise and other supports at local level on
behalf of national bodies.

In combination with the significant level of capital investment in arts, tourism, sports, recreation and
community infrastructure, all of this has a positive impact on employment supports and economic
recovery. An important finding from the research is the extent to which the local government sector
supports and underpins many of the local tourism, heritage and cultural events that form the backbone
of the Irish tourism industry.

In 2012, the research identified 465 different festivals and events which are directly supported by local
authorities. These range from high profile events which have a major impact on the local economy to
much smaller but important local activities which attract tourists, and sustain small businesses.

2.10 Collaborative Ventures
Local authorities are key drivers of local research projects with universities, enterprise start-ups and
national bodies such as Enterprise Ireland. The database includes very real examples of collaborative
ventures between local authorities and national / local partners to support community employment and
enterprise, to provide financial supports to business, to carry out R&D and to promote
entrepreneurship. Some local authorities are offering space or direct funding to local Chambers, and
working with them on collaborative projects which are an extremely positive development.

There is plenty of evidence of innovation and excellence in all local authorities. For example, some
local authorities are developing excellent linkages with hi-growth economies, the agri-business
community, and hi-tech companies. Local Authorities with limited resources are linking on cross-
border basis to develop solutions. In a number of cases, local authorities are looking to develop hot-
desking capacity in rural areas or commuter counties in order to create an entrepreneurial
environment. At the same time, the promotion of pop-up shops in local towns is now commonplace
having originally been championed by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. Another strategy
being adopted by many local authorities is that they are making small investments in websites, “apps”
and other technology solutions that are designed to drive innovation, promote cities / counties or help
start-ups at local level. Dublin City’s wayfinding app is designed to promote tourism in the city while
the Dublin Wi-Fi funding model is a good example of how new services can be introduced at minimal
cost to the local authority through collaboration with the private sector. Adoption of the mapalerter
communications tool by 5 local authorities is an extremely positive indication that local authorities are
alive to using new technologies while also improving how they interact and communicate with citizens
and the business community.
16

There is also impressive emerging evidence of high level collaboration between local authorities,
private entrepreneurs, and academic institutions, Enterprise Ireland, Failte Ireland and Chambers
Ireland to develop enterprise hubs, incubation spaces and new R&D space. The Creative Alliance in
Dublin operates at a very high level, but such collaborative work is happening in a very real way in
other locations – i.e. Kilkenny County Council working with the Waterford Institute of Technology,
Cork working with the CIT and UCC, Kildare working closely with Maynooth, Donegal with LKIT
and Donegal, Mayo and Galway with GMIT amongst others. Amongst the most impressive examples
of this are where Fingal / Dublin are working to test-bed new technology for Glen Dimplex, or where
Cork County Council is working with the Rubicon centre to set up a new Mallow campus which can
use the town as a “test bed” for new technology solutions.12 Mallow was chosen as the test-bed
following its decision last September to position itself at the cutting edge of the smart economy as part
of collaboration between Cork Institute of Technology (CIT), Mallow Development Partnership and
local town council. 13

It would be impossible to adequately capture the full range of activities and projects undertaken in
2012 in this research report. However, Appendix 1 offers a “flavour” of some actions taken by each
local authority in support of enterprise and employment.

12
http://www.irishexaminer.com/text/ireland/kfgbsnmhauid/
13
http://nimbus.cit.ie/tec/services-and-facilities/
17

Section Three: Conclusion
The research carried out by the CCMA sought to link actions taken by local authorities in support of
enterprise and employment to the National Jobs Strategy. Individually and collective, the Economic
Templates offer a useful “helicopter view” for policy makers and help to identify actions that need to
be prioritised, gaps that need to be filled, or actions that can potentially be replicated elsewhere or
supported at national level.

The CCMA’s research confirms the vast majority of actions flowing from the National Action
Plan for Jobs can be linked to specific investments by local authorities on the ground. Analysis
of the 2012 National Database which accompanies this report confirms that that the exemplars
of what “works on the ground”, works well precisely because these projects are designed with
local strengths and assets in mind.

Whether it relates to tourism and branding packages, village enhancement schemes, labour activation
projects, investments in art, culture and heritage, or collaborative R&D projects, the exemplars of
good practice tend to retain strong roots in their local community. Some of most innovative examples
of local authority action are ideas that have been specifically tailored to match the needs or strengths
of a local area. Examples extracted from the research are presented in Appendix 1 which shows that
local authorities are good at identifying local strengths (i.e.
tourism/cultural/heritage/agriculture/IT/third level research) and “plugging in” to national strategies.
The most effective local strategies take into account factors that are unique to that area and therefore
give it a competitive advantage. These include factors such as geography, demography, employment
tradition, and links to colleges, local heritage, recreation and economic assets. This is precisely why
local authorities, with their local expertise and capacity, are perfectly placed to support the Action
Plan for Jobs by ensuring that actions are tailored to suit particular localities.

3.1 Local Diversity is Strength
The research points to the benefits of an inter-agency approach when devising enterprise supports in
contrast to a one-size fits all approach which is not always effective. A collaborative inter-agency
approach takes account of the interests of towns and cities, and involves all of the relevant
government, commercial and community actors, as this will foster innovative and appropriate
responses at local level. Therefore, it is important to allow for flexibility at local level so that national
strategies can be tailored to fit local strengths in areas such as tourism, marketing and enterprise. As
our evidence suggest, this will allow local authorities to “plug in” to activate elements of the National
Jobs Plan more easily.

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3.2 Recommendations: How should local authorities use this research?
Based on our analysis and discussions with key stakeholders, the CCMA recommends the following
“next steps” to local authorities:
1. Each Director of Community and Enterprise is to review their completed Economic Template and
use it to brief elected members on positive actions being taken by their local authority to support
enterprise and jobs. It is essential to communicate such positive messages to elected members and
to the public to emphasise that local authorities are working hard to drive the local enterprise
agenda, and in turn improve and sustain jobs and improve local communities.
2. Each local authority is to review the National Database to identify areas where good practice can
be replicated, or where there is further potential for collaboration.
3. Having taken account of the 2013 updated National Action Plan, it is essential that each local
authority drafts a Local Action Plan by Q3 2013 which prioritises future action. A simple
Template will be developed by the CCMA to help achieve this.

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Appendix 1: Selected Examples of Enterprise & Employment Supports
Local Authority Example

Carlow CC Carlow Tourism Marketing Campaign with Kathryn Thomas on national radio supported by Carlow LAs

Carlow CC Carlow Community Enterprise Centre - a partnership between the community and state bodies,
incorporating 24 units supporting start-ups and training. Carlow Local Authorities have invested significant
staff-time into the management and operation of this centre.

Carlow CC Pop up Shop Initiative: This initiative promoted 13 Pop-Up Shops in Carlow Town with the establishment
of one on a long-term basis. Total cost of initiative approximately €20,000 in 2012 with €18,000 provided
by the Council. This initiative will continue in 2013.

Carlow CC FUSE (Joint initiative - staff time): An entrepreneurial alliance which aims to ignite growth among
businesses in the South East. Carlow hosted the regional meeting for this group in VISUAL on 11th June,
2012.

Cavan CC This is Cavan! Development of a Cavan Brand to build on the positive experiences of Cavan by visitors
during the fleadhs 2010-2012.

Cavan CC This is the Taste of Cavan Food Promotion: One day Food event to promote the food product in Cavan,
attended by Multinational buyers and 7,000 members of the public. Funded through €5,000 from Cavan
CEB, €1,800 from sponsorship, €12,322 from stands. As a result of the event, 5 producers were in direct
negotiations with Musgrave's.

Cavan CC Castlesaunderson Scouting Project: Collaborative Venture with Scouting Ireland: Purchase of 100 acre
Castle Saunderson Estate and developing 1,000 person all Ireland permanent jamboree site with 64 person
5* hostel. Total cost of project is approximately €5m, with Cavan CC providing 20% of the funding. The site
is expected to generate 16,000 bed nights by 2017 with obvious economic, employment and other spin-off
benefits to the local community.

Cavan CC Extension to Market House, Blacklion for Geo Park: Cavan County Council has invested significant
resources (financial / staff time) into the development of the GeoPark as a leading national and
international heritage attraction. Geopark sites are required to be of a very high standard in order to
maintain the UNESCO Geopark accreditation. By being of a high standard, the sites are visited by an
increasing number of people, up to 160,000 in 2012, including 14000 schoolchildren. The site has
significant potential to grow into one of Ireland’s leading tourist attractions. The development of an
interpretive site for the Geopark and Tourism information site in the village of Blacklion is part of a longer-
term plan to develop a high quality tourism product. It has involved part-funding from Cavan County
Council, (including contribution of the site) along with INTERREG funding.

Clare CC Ennis Innovate - Regional Innovation Centre: This centre is a collaborative venture between NUI Galway,
the University of Limerick, Shannon Development, Enterprise Ireland, the Clare County Enterprise Board
and the Clare Local Development Company. It provides support to start-up companies and guides
companies through the start-up process, and provides introductions and linkages to the relevant support
bodies and processes, as they progress from business idea stage to commercialisation – Ultimately, the
centre improves the start-ups chances of success.

Clare CC / Limerick Clare County Council jointly funds the Limerick/Clare Energy Agency (LCEA) and work towards the
CC implementation of the Integrated Strategy for Energy & Climate Change. The total cost is approximately
€135k per annum with Clare CC providing €90k. The LCEA assists businesses to reduce costs through
greater efficiencies, reduced energy consumption and greater use of renewable energy sources.

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Clare CC / Galway Lough Derg Marketing Group: This is a collaborative project between Clare County Council, Galway County
CC/ North Tipperary Council, North Tipperary County Council, Leader Companies in these Counties, Shannon Development,
CC Failte Ireland, Waterways Ireland and the Tourism Trade. The ongoing work is geared towards the
development of Lough Derg as a successful tourism destination. Key issues being addressed include
community development, development of a Draft Signage Plan, Destination Development Plan and up
skilling and awareness-raising of local tourism product around the Lough by tourism providers. It also
involves using information from heritage audits undertaken in 2010 and 2011 to develop a brochure,
iphone app and podcast.

Clare CC Ennis Heritage through IT : This project, in conjunction with the Heritage Council, involves the
development of an “App” to highlight the heritage of Ennis Town.

Cork CC/Cork City CorkMEET event 2012 (International event): Cork City Council is working with Cork County Council and
Cork City and County Enterprise Boards to organise this major business networking event again in 2013.
CorkMEET uses unique business-to-business matchmaking software to arrange up to ten 30 minute
meetings for each company participating. This multi-sectoral event is taking place in early April 2013 and
has in the past facilitated over 1,500 B2B meetings. CorkMEET has now grown to be one of Ireland’s
premier business gatherings.

http://www.corkmeet.ie/

Cork CC / Cork City CORK INNOVATES entrepreneurship committee is jointly funded by Cork County and City Councils. This
Committee brings together all the key players in the entrepreneurship field including County council, City
Council, CEBs, EI, UCC, CIT, Cork BIC, entrepreneurs with a proven track record, SWRA, and the Chamber of
Commerce. The aim is to map a strategic way forward for the Cork Region and to provide assistance to the
entrepreneur by pulling together all the help available from the various agencies. The highlight of 2012 was
the Cork Innovates showcase which drew 1,200 people to City Hall for a day long series of talks, with the
agencies and financial institutions on hand to answer any queries. A website has been established as a one
stop shop on entrepreneurship in Cork. A full time coordinator has been hired to drive the process.

Cork CC/Cork City ENERGY CORK Group funded by Cork County and City Councils: This group targets the potential offered by
the Energy sector for Cork. Already a major player in terms of national power generation, use, refining,
storage etc., it seeks to build an alliance of public and private sector expertise to build on what Cork
already has, which has huge potential for employment creation and economic activity. The activities were
launched by Minister Rabbitte and already all major stakeholder are on Board. A full time project manager
has been hired to drive the process with the intention that the initiative will be self-financing within two
years.

Cork CC E Centre Development: One of the most exciting initiatives under Cork’s Economic Development Fund is
the development, with local community and business groups, of E-Centres in towns and villages across
Cork. Cork County has already provided such centres in Bantry, Fermoy and Macroom. The model into the
future is to develop centres with local groups by utilizing existing vacant spaces in local towns. The local
groups endeavour to obtain a suitable building at zero rent. The Council, in conjunction with local
development agencies, then adapt and fit out the building for use as an E Centre. The main benefit to the
occupants is the access to the local business support network, and being able to avail of peer supports of
other centre occupants. It also unites and empowers the local community to deliver on the ground for
their own community. Two community based models have opened to date in Charleville and Millstreet
with a pipeline of further centres progressing well.

It is envisaged that the e-centre will result in direct jobs, and facilitates entrepreneurs starting their own
businesses by providing e-working and “hot desking” facilities at low cost in the community. It also
provides a focal point in the town for the community to drive employment initiatives.

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Cork CC Macroom E Smile Project: A project which matches one company's waste material with another's raw
material. This can involve packaging, by-products etc. and it has proved outstandingly successful with
awards etc being won and its roll out throughout the country. This is funded by Cork County Council and is
a joint venture with the CEBs and Macroom E.

Cork CC Economic Development Fund: Capital funding to companies that show a capacity to create and grow
employment and economic activity, This funding is allocated to companies who cannot for a variety of
reasons obtain it from the existing development agencies. There is a collaborative and integrated
application process with the CEBs and Leader groups who take applications, assess the proposals and only
forward to the Council if they cannot fund themselves and consider the proposal viable and not contrary to
competition laws. Thus the applicant has a streamlined and integrated application process with no
duplication.

Cork CC Joint initiative with Nimbus centre CIT, Mallow Town Council and Mallow Development Partnership. Aim
is to create a real life test bed in Mallow for a stream of products which have and will be Laboratory tested
in CIT. This will lead to an enhanced testing infrastructure and environment in Mallow which it is planned
will lead to products from other third level institutions and companies being tested there.
Cork City Irish Technology Leadership Group preparatory work: Working with Cork Chamber, UCC and CIT, the City
Council worked with the Irish Technology Leadership Group (ITLG) to plan the Silicon Valley Summit in Cork
in January 2013. Promote Cork as a global tech hub and a location for FDI

Cork City Co-finance feasibility study for Tier 1 broadband: Make business case for new interconnector essential to
sustaining existing and attracting new companies

Cork City Preparatory work to establish an enterprise centre, in conjunction with Cork Institute of Technology’s
Rubicon Centre, to house small high-tech businesses. This will promote the city centre as a location for
small, high-tech companies. It will also allow support companies to move out of incubation space at the
Rubicon, freeing up space for new start-ups.

Cork City Promoting Cork in Asia: 2012 activities including production of a brochure outlining tax incentives for
investing in Cork, receiving over 30 delegations representing Chinese companies and public authorities,
support for development of a Confucius Institute Building and Chinese Garden in Cork. Working with UCC,
CIT, Cork Chamber and Failte Ireland South West; formal relationships with Shanghai, Hangzhou and Wuxi;
Office opened in Shanghai; establishing contacts for local businesses in China; Promoting Cork as a tourist
destination and for learning English; working with local schools to make pupils aware of the growth of Asia
and improve language/cultural skills

Donegal CC Donegal County Council is working with key stakeholders on the Killybegs Jobs Initiative, which targets the
creation of 250 jobs across sectors such as tourism, renewable energies, cargo services and offshore
energy exploration by 2014. In a joint venture with the Letterkenny Institute of Technology, a wind
training facility has been set up in Killybegs. So far 32 wind turbine technicians have been fully
trained with a cohort of 16 being trained at present.

Donegal CC Donegal Diaspora project (www.donegaldiaspora.com) is a strategic initiative undertaken by Donegal
County Council. This initiative is developing international networks for the promotion of the county across
all sectors (e.g. inward investment, enterprise and skills development, tourism, promotion of Donegal
goods and services). The Council promotes this initiative e.g. through the Annual Golden Bridges Event and
through the annual Tip O'Neill Irish Diaspora Award. It has a website and an ezine which goes to 30,000
people worldwide, six times a year.

Donegal CC Donegal County Council is leading out on the development of strategic tourism products in the county (e.g.
Sliabh Liag €4.5mn, Inch levels €1.2mn, Malin Head €500k) It also leads Donegal Tourism Limited, a
collaborative marketing platform which has developed a website and delivers a comprehensive tourism
marketing programme.

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Donegal CC Donegal County Council is leading out on key enterprise support programmes (e.g. Business Bootcamp
entrepreneurship programme 16-34 yr. olds; REN-NET renewable energies programme which develops the
capacity of business to avail of opportunities in the Green Economy). The Council has invested €600k in the
provision of enterprise space at locations including Donegal Town and Ballybofey and has taken ownership
of Donegal Craft village, undertaking refurbishment of the centre and proactively marketing / promotion
on behalf of local businesses.

Dublin CC / Fingal CC The Green Way: The Green Way is a collaborative ‘triple helix’ cluster established by industry, academic
institutions and public/semi-state players in the Dublin region, with a vision to create jobs and unlock trade
opportunities, through activation and development of an internationally recognised Cleantech cluster. The
6 principals are DCU, DIT, DAA, Ballymun regeneration, North Dublin Chamber and DCC www.greenway.ie

The Green Way aims to support the transformation of the Irish economy into a sustainable green economy.
It will do this through - Support for existing green economy companies and eco-innovation in the region;
foster and accelerate new job creation in green economy start-ups; facilitate multinational corporations
capable of bringing transformative green economy jobs and investment to the region.

Dublin CC Report 'Thomas Street – Improving the Public Face of an Historic City Centre Street' was commissioned by
Dublin City Council and completed by the Dublin Civic Trust. The report includes substantial regeneration
proposals for historic Thomas Street in the centre of Dublin’s Liberties. Puts forward a vision for the future
of the historic thoroughfare in Dublin 8, which has suffered from urban blight, dereliction and vacancy,
including during the recent economic boom period. The study highlights Thomas Street’s historic building
stock as one of its principal assets, while underlining the importance of its retention and restoration as part
of a drive to improve the appearance of the street and its architectural character. It also promotes the
consolidation and branding of local indigenous businesses, and the development of visitor attractions, an
improved public realm and on-street public information to capitalise on the considerable tourist potential
of the district.

Dublin CC Green IFSC: The Green IFSC (GIFSC) is coordinating, facilitating and accelerating the positioning of Dublin as
a world-class centre for green finance and enterprise. This includes the development of green finance and
asset management skills; influencing policy and regulation; and creating a greener environment within
which to do business. The combination of these approaches will put the IFSC in a leadership position in the
world of green finance

Dublin CC “Walk Dublin” – New Wayfinding Application launches: The app is an initiative of Dublin City Council and
has been developed to compliment the wayfinding system that was successfully introduced throughout the
city in 2011. Point The Way GPS Ltd, on behalf of Dublin City Council, worked closely with the National
Council for the Blind of Ireland in developing the accessibility features of the app for the visually impaired.
The App has been developed by Point The Way GPS Ltd for iphone and is free to download from the Apple
App store.

This facility compliments the recently installed wayfinding and signage scheme that has been erected
around the city. The function of the wayfinding app is to assist people in successfully navigating their way
around the city and to obtain information about the key cultural and institutional attractions in the city.
The app provides for one hundred points of interest ranging from the smaller cultural destinations to the
city’s national cultural destinations

Dublin CC Dublin Tall Ships Race: Four day free family festival with over 40 ships over the four day event with a music
stage, water sports, family fun and entertainment, arts and crafts, exhibitions and workshops, literary trails
and food theatre. Over 1.25 million attended the event in 2012, with a positive local economic impact of
€13.245 million; a national economic impact estimated at €12,477 million. Local Dublin spend involved was
in the order of €8.610 million. In addition, the Tall Ships race brought with it added PR value to the City
worth over €12 million. . It is estimated that the festival was linked to 50,000 commercial bed nights,
valued at €2.13 million.

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Dun Laoghaire The Dun Laoghaire Business Promotion Fund was established in 2010 to annually grant aid - on a basis of
Rathdown CC 50/50 matched funding – to those recognised business organisations (e.g. traders' associations) in each
local electoral area, on foot of proposals to organise events / promotions to increase footfall. In 2012 as an
additional measure for business, the grant aid ratio was changed by Council to 3:1, i.e. 75% contribution by
Council to successful projects.

This initiative generates and sustains business activity by delivering tangible outputs such as increased
footfall. Encourages firms to work collectively to promote and sustain business in their area. Encourages
business to work with the Council and other agencies. Grant aid included provision for organising local
festivals, physical improvements in the business areas, websites and video information, advertising,
tourism promotion.

Dun Laoghaire The Marketing of Dún Laoghaire Town - BRAND Project. This is a 3-year EU funded project to develop the
Rathdown CC placebrand for Dún Laoghaire Town. Placebranding activities that included promoting town through town
website, town Facebook page, Youtube. Other outputs include production of a film 'A Day in the Life of Dun
Laoghaire' and events such as visit of the Tara Expedition to Dun Laoghaire Harbour and the Christmas
Market . The impact is that a good level of co-operation now exist between stakeholders such as the
business organisation, the Council and the shopping centres in the town to generate positive
communication about the town.

Dun Laoghaire Outdoor Tourism Project - A three year project involving 3 Welsh and 3 Irish partners to develop the
Rathdown CC outdoor adventure sector in Snowdonia and the North Wales coast, Dublin Bay and the Barrow Valley. The
Council organised a number of taster sessions in the County to raise awareness of the value of outdoor
tourism. Produced a tender for the study of the marketing potential of the areas for outdooor tourism.
Managed the contract with Blue Sail consultants who produced a comprehensive report on the type of
outdoor tourism activities suitable for specific market segments that will deliver the biggest growth
potential.

Dun Laoghaire The Pop-up Shop Initiative achieved its objectives of converting vacant retail space into an attraction;
Rathdown CC getting positive publicity for the town; and providing space and opportunity for craft businesses and
nascent retailers to "step-up" to a full retail experience. A total of 51 small businesses and/or co-
ops/community organisations had tenancy in the pop-up shops in 2012 (13% increase on 2011).

Fingal CC Ongoing management and upkeep of Damastown Industrial Estate and the Cappogue, Stephenstown,
Coolmine, College Business Park lands.The upkeep of the Councils Industrial Estates and Lands supporting
existing companies and attracting new companies to an enhanced environment.

Fingal CC Lanistown, Turvey: 40 hectares of Industrial land on the R132 within 1 kilometre of the M1 at Lissenhall
available for disposal to companies investing in Fingal. TESCO operating major logistics centre.

Fingal CC Commercial Rates (ARV) reduced by 2%: Reduction in rates gives financial savings for businesses which has
a positive impact on retail trade and the business sector in general. In relation to ratepayers they have
5,811 active accounts. 2,067 of these accounts are paid by direct debit (35.33%) and are on payment plans
spread across the year. These result in a reduced income stream for the Council over the period involved.
In addition payment plans are agreed where necessary with individual customers. However, reduced
pressure on local businesses and financial savings for businesses has a positive impact on retail trade and
likely impact on continued employment by the sector.

Fingal CC Malahide Castle & Demesne: This project involved substantial investment by Fingal County Council in
conjunction with Failte Ireland. Opened in October 2012, it supports 110 jobs in the on-site cafe run by
Avoca and an additional 20 jobs with Shannon Heritage who are responsible for the running of the tourism
facilities, including ticket sales, retail sales and visitor guiding. It is anticipated that in excess of 100,000
people will visit the Castle & gardens in 2013 generating a significant positive knock-on effects for
businesses in Malahide village.

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Galway City/ Galway Meet West business networking conference : Year 2 of Meet West supported 300 businesses to attend a 2
CC/ Roscommon CC/ day business networking event, organised by regional local authorities & enterprise boards.
Mayo CC
Galway City www.cityofgalway.net - Production of quality promotional video & website for the city to support trade
visits/IDA showcases etc. to attract overseas investment.

Galway City Industrial & Commercial Facilities: Management & Maintenance of 2 Industrial/Incubation Centres. This
includes the provision of start up industrial space. 25 Units in 2 locations from 250-2500 sq foot.

Galway City St. Nicholas's Market: This outdoor market scheme comprises of 40 stalls at weekends and is a major
tourist attraction in the city.

Galway CC Provision of Energy Management Advisory Services: 4 businesses in Tuam were provided with detailed
energy reports

Galway CC Providing direct grant aid of €44,000 to Food Festivals/ Sports Events/ community Festivals

Galway CC Support in delivery of programme for unemployed to participate in customised outreach degree
programme provided by Equal Ireland in Tuam/ Ballinasloe.

“Kickstart to Fitness” : Galway County Council organised a 12 week physical activity programme, “Kick
Start to Fitness” for unemployed men in 5 centres in Galway, Athenry, Loughrea and Gort.

Galway CC Campaign to increase awareness of Local Produce through the Made in Galway Initiative and
encouragement of consumers to purchase locally produced goods and services involving a website,
overseas events and participation in trade fairs

Kerry CC Funding of €40,000 for the Tralee Chamber Group. Tralee Town Council have recently funded this new
Chamber for the enhanced revision of business and tourism facilities in the town of Tralee. The Town Clerk
and Town Manager are also members of the committee.

Killarney Town Council provides annual funding to for the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce to
the tune of €50,000 for marketing promotion and development activities of the Chamber of Commerce and
is actively involved in many of its projects.

Kerry CC Innovatekerry - a collaboration with the third level college and the enterprise agencies.
http://www.kerryenterprise.ie/download/1/Innovate%20Kerry%20Launch%20Brochure%20%283%29.pdf

Enhances networking across agency size. Putting a collaborative focus on innovation to encourage
innovate idea from a broad cohort.

Kerry CC Development of Tralee Technology Park. Kerry County Council and Tralee Town Council have contributed
significantly through having the Director of Planning and the Town Manager on the Board of the Tralee
Technology Park and have also facilitated with road, waste water and water infrastructure in developing
this park which so far has attracted many start up companies. The park has the distinction of having four of
the Ernst & Young entrepreneurs of the year involved in companies at the location.

Kerry CC Submission to Next Generation Broadband. Kerry County Council is actively pursuing enhanced
broadband facilities for Co. Kerry and recently made a submission to the Next Generation Broadband to try
and improve access for business and tourism

Kildare CC County Development Board: Equine strategy developed for Kildare County.

Kildare CC Targeted infrastructure projects to facilitate future economic development.

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Kildare CC Provision of a multi disciplinary /multi department roundtable response for technical evaluation of
planned major projects.

Kildare CC Installation of multi-media suites in 7 branch libraries – allows Council to facilitate range of e-training, e-
learning courses in conjunction with SOLAS.

Kilkenny CC Establishment of a high level AgriFood Group to progress the county under Harvest 2020 - sales and
marketing initiative and environmental agendas. On the Agrifood agenda, Further to the Harvest 2020
strategy, a high level food group was established with representatives from the sector including Glanbia,
Dawn Meats, Brett Brothers, Connolly Red Mills, Oldtown Bakeries and Leader. This group has been
developing four areas, namely expansion of the milk supply post 2015, food sustainability, improved routes
to market for S.M.E’s and exploring the development of food excellence. A technical working group was
established with representatives of Teagasc, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Dept. of
Agriculture, the Dept. of the Environment, Community and Local Government, the River Basin Catchment
Management Team and the Council to examine environmental management issues. This group liaised at a
national level with Dept. of Agriculture and River Catchment Management, with Kilkenny was designated a
pilot programme. Important development of Kilkenny for artisan food production and for 'ahead of the
curve' environmental infrastructure under harvest 2020

Kilkenny CC Burrell's Hall Research and Innovation Centre at St. Kieran's campus in Kilkenny. At the launch of Invest
Kilkenny, the establishment of the TSSG Research and Innovation Centre was announced. The centre which
was officially opened by an Taoiseach Enda Kenny puts a focus on next generation internet services and
develop relationships with existing companies in Kilkenny and the South east region, is a joint venture
between the Kilkenny Local Authorities and W.I.T/Telecommunication Software and Systems Group
(T.S.S.G) is being rolled out by the research team in 2012. The new research centre marked the continued
growth of WIT’s highly successful TSSG group and greatly enhanced the academic profile of Kilkenny,
consolidating the county’s value offering as a centre of innovation and creativity. To date almost €1m
worth of business has been generated in the centre.

Kilkenny CC River Nore Linear Walk: New riverside Boardwalk opened in 2012, new outdoor exercise equipment
installed. Positive enhancements of public realm increases and generates repeat footfall/tourism/retail
spending. Outdoor "free" activities add value to the tourism offer, sustaining jobs in the tourism sector.

Kilkenny CC Medieval Mile Tourism initiative: Tourism development continues to be at the core of the economic
agenda in Kilkenny and the economic development unit engaged with tourism stakeholders as an economic
partner and providing IT and administrative staff to support Kilkenny Tourism initiatives. In October, a €5.5
million investment in a new “Medieval Mile” tourism project for Kilkenny was announced. The “Medieval
Mile” will stretch from Kilkenny Castle to St Canice’s Cathedral and will position the historic city as a “must
see” destination for overseas visitors to Ireland. This Medieval Mile Project was announced as part of the
Invest Kilkenny programme aimed at promoting Kilkenny as a great place to do business. The business
support unit directly supported the Gathering Initiative organising community briefings and engaging with
the public to create 45 gatherings to date, including three flagship initiatives supported by IPB Insurance.
These Gatherings partnering with Failte Ireland, the Gathering Ireland and local communities, will drive
overseas visitors to Kilkenny and create legacy events for future economic growth. Developing stretch into
a world class tourism experience enhancing product offering to tourism/retail/investment.

Laois CC Council facilitated Full Time Tourism Office in Portlaoise. Capital Upgrade costs borne by Laois County
Council. Supports the critical contribution of Tourism to economic development. Tourism Office overheads
are covered.

26


Laois CC Portlaoise and Portarlington Enterprise Centres: loan repayments have been deferred. To support the
critical economic development role of the Enterprise Centre.

Laois CC A Business Network Event was hosted and organised by Laois County Council, in June 2012.
Representatives from 84 local businesses attended and topics presented included ‘Energy and Water
Management for Business’, ‘Energy Management in Practice’, the ’Connect Ireland Initiative’ as well as
‘Economic Development Initiatives in Laois’. It is planned to host this event, which both informs and
provide an opportunity for networking, on an annual basis.

Laois CC Laois 'Open for Business' brochure developed and printed 2012

Leitrim CC Community Soccer Programme: Working through Community Soccer Programme to attract young men in
particular with literacy difficulties through soccer programme. Increasing the skills base in order to improve
job readiness

Leitrim CC Support for a range of initiatives designed to promote business including: Leitrim - One Call to Success,
Training and Education Expo, Self-Employed Forum, Carrick on Shannon 2020 Vision Report

Leitrim CC Leitrim County Council has developed a local Jobs Action Plan which is due to be passed by Council.

Leitrim CC Support for the Creative Sector: Trade Programme to promote international mobility and awareness of
Leitrim artists, Leitrim Equation project to promote professional development of traditional musicians,
marketing of Leitrim based artists, SPARK programme which develops new opportunities to develop
creativity for artists to work with conventional business and service sector.

Limerick City Fashion Quarter enhancements & signage: Promoting city centre retail

Limerick City Leasing of land / property to community groups at peppercorn rent / free: Enables community centres,
sports & play facilities and enterprise incubation.

Limerick City Retail Incentive Scheme: Grants to new businesses, attract industry to core retail area

Limerick City LA sponsored wi-fi hotspots at a cost of €10,000 in order to foster a digital city.

Limerick CC Project partner in a 3-year EU funded project examining the potential for farm biogas facilities in the
county. The council is a partner in an EU project, called GERONIMO II, that is examining the potential for
biogas facilities to be developed on County Limerick dairy and pig farms. Supported farmers to develop
biogas project proposals & research undertaken with University of Limerick into local sustainable energy
generation.

Limerick CC Flexible Payment methods - variety of payment methods now accepted for all our customers - cash
offices, postal service, An post bill pay cards and have just gone live with on line payments for both rates
and water customers. Ensues that businesses are supported with an ease of payment method - the
addition of on line facilities will aid businesses to make payments even outside of business hours.

Limerick CC Great Southern Trail Cycleway - part of the national Cycle Network and tourism amenity

Limerick CC Refurbishment and retrofitting of 224 council houses to improve energy efficiency and reduce fuel
poverty. Approx. 6 companies with 50 - 60 contractors employed

Longford CC Link with Chamber, CEB and council to develop economic strategy: DCU Research assist. Develop Longford
Business Strategy. Working on Economic strategy in co-operation with Local and National bodies facilitated
by DCU. Special Meeting of Town and County Council on Economic Development/job creation in April
2013.

27


Longford CC St Mels Cathedral Restoration Project

Longford CC Local Authority/Waterways Irl/ County Tourism to Develop canal walk

Longford CC Hosted a Chinese delegation in Longford to promote Longford as a business location

Louth CC A number of Council-led projects, including the newly developed Athletics track in Drogheda, which
opened in December 2012, are availing of the Tús Employment Scheme

Louth CC The Louth Economic Forum, a multi sector stakeholder group which meets under aegis of the CDB has
continued it's work during 2012. Major milestones during 2012 include public of an Action Plan on
Education & Training and a Review of the work of the Economic Forum to date, undertaken by Pat Mc
Cloughan Consulting

Louth CC The construction of the new Drogheda Enterprise Centre commenced in late 2012: This will be a new
community enterprise centre looking at high tech start-up, the food sector but also providing a home for
community projects such as CoderDoJo, computer training for young people already underway in
Drogheda.

Louth CC Creative Spark Enterprise Centre Dundalk: Construction of new enterprise centre aimed primarily at
business in the creative arts. This is a new enterprise centre established on the edge of one of the most
deprived areas in Dundalk. In additional to providing space for new enterprises, the centre aims to work
closely with the local community. It will run events and workshops for community, schools etc., to
stimulate entrepreneurship, again with some emphasis on the creative arts area. The Project is managed
by a company which is under the County Enterprise Board

Mayo CC Goal to Work Sports Coaching Training Programme for Jobseekers(14 weeks 2 days each week): Since
completion of this successful programme out of 13 participants . 2 have taken up internships with NGBs, 3
have gone on to take up further sports education training such as the Sporting Chance programme from
the National learning Network and 3 have continued on in placements with Primary Schools and
Community Sports Co-ordinators.

Mayo CC Mayo Ideas Lab: The Mayo Ideas Lab takes a cross-sectoral approach and works with the education,
community and arts sectors as well as the industrial and enterprise sectors. This approach encourages
cross-fertilization of ideas, and results in innovative projects for the county.

Mayo CC Mayo Science and Technology Festival: The Festival is run in conjunction with the GMIT to promote
interest and take-up in science subjects among Mayo students which will help to deliver more technology
start up companies in Mayo in the future. In 2012 3000 people participated thus generating additional
economic benefit on the event day.

Mayo CC Great Western Greenway including Recreational Park: Substantial investment by Mayo County Council in
development of major tourist infrastructure. The Greenway has helped to create a total of 38 new full time
jobs and a further 56 full time jobs have been sustained.

Meath CC Meath County Council is working in partnership with the Irish Archaeological Field School to develop
initiatives and promote Meath as a leading location for overseas students to gain field experience in
archaeology and cultural heritage. In 2012 Meath County Council and the Heritage Council provided
funding to cultivate links with universities particularly in the US, to market County Meath as a destination
for cultural learning experiences.

Meath CC Training, Mentoring and support services for local SME's, Start-Ups, Entrepreneurs, graduates in the food
sector through a new Food Innovation and Technology hub in the Navan Enterprise Centre, leading to the
creation of 100 paid internships.

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CCMA Report on Supporting Enterprise Local Development and Economic Growth 2012

CCMA Report on Supporting Enterprise Local Development and Economic Growth 2012

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