The primary goal of the Chamber is to boost economic activity in Ballaghaderreen and surrounding areas as a means to improving the quality of life for the community. This will be achieved by:
Supporting and growing existing businesses
Attracting existing businesses to establish a base of operations in Ballaghaderreen
Encouraging and supporting start-up businesses
In order to ach
ieve the above Ballaghaderreen Chamber is creating a strategic plan, Ballaghaderreen EcoTech2020, which will guide our actions over the coming years. The purpose of Ballaghaderreen EcoTech2020 is to move Ballaghaderreen towards becoming a regional hub for environmentally friendly and technically advanced businesses while focusing on making Ballaghaderreen an excellent place to live and raise a family. While initially established to focus on commercial issues the Chamber have recognised that a primary resource all business require is a skilled workforce. Without adequate the social infrastructure and employment opportunities, Ballaghaderreen will not be a desired location for skilled people to live. Therefore, our Ballaghaderreen EcoTech2020 strategic plan will address both commercial and social issues. We will publish a document over the coming months detailing our Ballaghaderreen EcoTech2020 strategy and specific projects within this framework. Some projects we are currently assessing are:
Establishing clear communication links with all other community groups in Ballaghaderreen in order to facilitate a consolidated approach to improve the town
Improving the appearance or the town (working together with other groups)
Establishing a comprehensive database of businesses and community groups in the area
Survey of available accommodation in Ballaghaderreen, together with average cost, for long and short term rental and houses/apartments for sale
Database of available commercial property available for sale/rent together with contact details
Utilizing waste heat from Aurivo for the benefit of the community
Establishing a town park and free wifi areas within the town
Establishing a technically advanced, community based greenhouses/allotments to grow organic food
Establishing workshop space for creative start-up’s to compliment the office based enterprise hub currently being established
Establishing a rapid prototyping facility to help companies reduce the cost and timeframe of new product development
Establish a structured training program, in conjunction with Roscommon LEO, to address skills deficiencies in existing businesses
Establish educational programs for young people in the town to improve technical skills (CoderDojo, Science boot camps)
Define the carbon footprint of the town and devise a strategic plan to reduce this while increasing energy efficiency
Helping all businesses in Ballaghaderreen to develop an online presence
Establishing communication channels with Roscommon County Council, LEO and other government agencies to facilitate a consolidated approach to increasing economic activity in Ballaghaderreen and surrounding areas
Work toward the re-opening of the Abbeyfield Hotel, as a hotel
Increasing tourism to Ballaghaderreen and the wider region through working with other interested parties under the Lakes and Legends and Wild Atlantic Way frameworks
The Chamber are very interested in the views of the business community and general public regarding the commercial and social development of Ballaghaderreen. Please email any suggestions/ opinions to [email protected]
Our goal as a Chamber is to boost economic activity in Ballaghaderreen and surrounding areas as a means to improving the quality of life for the community
