Limerick Chamber is here to support the success of our members and the wider region. 2014 has been such a positive year for Limerick and our members. A number of projects we’d worked on for years finally came to fruition – such as the amalgamation of our local authority and independence for Shannon Airport, both of which are having a significant impact on growth for our region.
Other initiatives that we supported and promoted – such as City of Culture and our focus on city centre retail following our partnership with the LCBA – also played a significant role in promoting Limerick as a great place to live, work and play. It is great to see our hard work paying off and Limerick being ranked as one of the top 10 places in Europe in which to invest!
As a member of Limerick Chamber your business plays a role in ensuring that we can continue to deliver a range of services to help you and the Limerick region succeed. Here is just a quick summary of what we delivered for members and businesses this year:
- We organised over 80 events to give members additional know-how and opportunities to network
- We made 14 policy submissions to Government Departments and had over 100 interactions with Ministers and key stakeholders advocating your business and Limerick
- 540 employees and job-seekers in the mid-west region were trained and upskilled through Skillnets courses. 800 training days were delivered!
- LCBA@theChamber has actively engaged with Retail Excellence Ireland members to encourage retail investment in Limerick city centre
- We approved 14,000 Online Export Documents – a valuable service for over 40 exporting companies in the region
- We launched our 200th Anniversary Programme for 2015
- Over 200 mentions in the media – generated from 50 press releases and statements
- With almost 4,000 twitter followers and excellent Facebook and LinkedIn platforms, being connected to us connects your business
- At the National Franchise Centre (NFC), 160 people attended NFC events and over 25 people availed of Enterprise Development Training
- 420 business leaders attended the President’s Dinner & Regional Business Awards
- We welcomed 70 new members this year
Looking back on 2014, it can be said the Limerick Region has experienced a positive period of growth. We are seeing large scale investment come into the region, new jobs being created and the conditions for continued investment are being put in place – such as low commercial rates, low rents, increased investment in R&D in our third level sector and an inspiring masterplan spearheaded by our local authority that will transform our capital city over the coming years…
- Ethicon Biosurgery Ireland (part of the Johnson & Johnson family) announced 270 new jobs, plus 150 construction) as part of an €80m investment by them in Limerick
- viagogo Group, the world’s largest ticket marketplace, has commented operations and is to open a purpose built international operations centre in Limerick
- Optel Vision, a Canadian company, is locating its EMEA Manufacturing and Operations Centre in Limerick
- the largest Pharma construction site in Europe is currently based in Raheen due to the arrival of Regeneron
- Kemp Technologies, Pepper, ACI Worldwide, Gilt Groupe, Analog, Northern Trust and Vistakon all announced expansion plans with the creation of several new jobs
- New retail outlets opened their doors including Gasta, Hook & Ladder, the Buttery, Gutso d’Italia, Stormy Teacup, AROI, Takichi, Ecco Shoes, The Body Shop, Toy Box, thérapie Clinic…
- Shannon Airport had a year of strong passenger growth and continues to add new European and US routes
- Our newly amalgamated Authority was named the Local Authority of the Year 2014
- Government approval for the provision of funding to facilitate the relocation of Revenue from Sarsfield House into the Opera Centre is a significant move forward for Limerick 2030
- The level of cohesion and cooperation between our 3rd level institutes, our local authority and the business community has been a significant differentiating factor in Limerick this year – the arrival of General Motors is a prime example of this.
- And of course Limerick is not only undergoing an economic transformation but a cultural one. As Ireland’s first City of Culture, over three hundred events took place. A number of legacy projects have already been spun off with a focus on economic development.
With all this in mind, it is not surprising that Limerick was voted one of the top ten places in Europe to invest in.
As we look towards 2015 and celebrating our 200th anniversary, we are certainly entering the New Year in a more positive light.
Once again our priorities will centre on our member’s needs. Our focus is to create the best environment for you to do business. And as we develop our plans for 2015, we would like your input. Please do share with us your good ideas and feedback by contacting anyone of our team or email info@limerickchamber.ie.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the team at Limerick Chamber for their hard work and commitment over this past year and thank you for your continued commitment to doing business in Limerick. Limerick Chamber is delighted to represent and service your business needs. We look forward to working with you throughout our 200th anniversary in 2015.
We wish you a very Merry Christmas as well as a safe, prosperous and happy New Year.
Warm regards,
Cathal Treacy Dr Órlaith Borthwick
President Interim CEO
Share On.....