189 ACTIONS TO HELP SUPPORT ECONOMIC GROWTH IN ALL SECTORS
Kerry County Council has published an Economic Recovery Plan to help support and guide the county through the challenges of the next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and to help stimulate and support economic recovery and activity in the county.
The plan is a multi-stakeholder response to the impact that COVID-19 has had on the Kerry economy, and reflects the significant capital and programme investment that is committed from national and local government towards the delivery of strategic capital infrastructural projects to support the economic recovery in the county.
The Economic Recovery Plan addresses the need to build resilience and diversification into Kerry’s economy to respond to the additional challenges and opportunities faced by businesses in the county, including in the post-Brexit and post-COVID-19 environment, the transition to climate neutrality, the transition to a digital economy and the opportunities presented by remote or blended working.
It is a comprehensive plan with some 189 actions. Among its key objectives/targets are:
To rollout a significant programme to support the reopening of business in the county from targeted marketing campaigns promoting Kerry as a leading destination for business, tourism, investment, and study to investments in outdoor dining and performance spaces throughout the county.
To deliver energy efficiency retrofitting upgrades to local authority housing stock, and public lighting, as well as the continued ‘greening’ of public buildings.
To work in partnership with key stakeholders to retain, promote, and drive Kerry’s position as a premier international tourism destination, with a focus on developing green & sustainable tourism.
To deliver green tourism infrastructure in the county, including greenways, walkways and the implementation of new and existing Visitor Destination Development Plans.
To enhance regional accessibility and improve connectivity within the county in terms of the road, rail and public transport network, together with cycleway and pedestrian facilities.
The Plan focuses on a number of key themes including Digital Transformation, the Transition to a Low Carbon Economy, building on Kerry’s natural resources and the necessary training and education to support these structural changes. The Plan also concentrates on the challenges of regenerating towns and villages, the overall marketing of the county in relation to attracting investment, talent and visitors and the development of tourism, culture, heritage and amenities to support the quality of life in the county both for its resident and visiting populations.
There will be a continued support of existing business in the efficient delivery of National Schemes and the prioritisation of local supports in training, mentoring, supporting the transition to online trading and lean programmes and assisting the National Pathways to Work Programme 2021-2025.
Launching the report, the Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Jimmy Moloney said:
‘The pandemic has been an unprecedented economic challenge for the county. The key sectors in Kerry are tourism, wholesale, retail, agriculture, manufacturing, and local services which towns, smaller settlements and their hinterlands rely on to generate economic activity – all of which have been impacted by the pandemic. As we approach a fuller reopening the economy, it is important that we have this recovery plan in place that clearly sets out a roadmap for economic investment and sustainability in the years ahead.
The Chief Executive of Kerry County Council, Moira Murrell said:
‘At the beginning of the pandemic, the public and private sectors in Kerry, building on existing collaborations, recognised the need for a coordinated response to support the economic recovery of the county. Chaired by Kerry County Council, the Kerry Economic Stakeholder Forum was convened in April 2020 to support the economic recovery of the county. This interagency forum, in consultation with key stakeholders, has developed this Economic Recovery Plan for the county.
Ms Murrell thanked the many stakeholders and those who contributed to the Plan, particularly the members of the Kerry Economic Stakeholder Forum as well as the Munster Technological University, Kerry Education and Training Board, Kerry SciTech, Kerry Tourism Industry Federation and the Kerry Chamber Network.
Pictured: Launching the new Kerry Economic Recovery Plan on Monday were staff and management of Kerry County Council: Moira Murrell (Chief Executive), Bridget Fitzgerald (Economic Development Officer), Tomás Hayes (Kerry Local Enterprise Office), Helen O’Connor-Barry (Economic Development Unit), John Griffin (Tourism Officer), Mike Scannell (Director of Economic Development), Cllr Jimmy Moloney (Cathaoirleach). Photo by: Domnick Walsh – Eye Focus LTD – 087 2672033
