LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN BUSINESS GALWAY CITY COUNCIL
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FOR GROWTH “GALWAY 2020 HAS ACTIVELY ENGAGED WITH BUSINESSES OF ALL SIZES TO BACK THE BID VIA ITS BUSINESS ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMME – BE GALWAY 2020 – AND THE SUPPORT FROM THE BUSINESS SECTOR HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL.”
InBUSINESS spoke with Galway City Council Chief Executive, Brendan McGrath, to discover more about concerted efforts to boost Galway’s growth and profile both in Ireland and on the international stage.
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he local economy in Galway city has progressed from strength to strength over the past few years, driven by hard work and innovation on the part of key stakeholders in the region, including Galway County Council, Galway Chamber, and local businesses and organisations. Much of the city’s economy is driven by the many events and festivals that take place throughout the year and the visitors they attract. In June, for example, Galway hosted a new sports tourism venture – the Challenge Triathalon. It’s the first time the event has been held in Ireland, with plans to make Galway its permanent home, and it boosted the local economy to the tune of a1 million. Other important events for the city’s economy include the Galway Film Fleadh, the Galway Races and Seafest. This and other growth is being driven by Galway City Council’s latest development plan – currently in the draft stage – which focuses on key topics including the local economy, tourism and culture and which was developed in consultation with local business interests and the Chamber of Commerce. The plan was originally approved by Galway City Council last October, with Liam Hanrahan, Senior Executive Officer, providing a comprehensive presentation on the development process. “We have completed a cultural strategy
InBUSINESS | Q2 2016
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Brendan McGrath, CE, Galway City Council
alongside a new Local Economic and Community Plan, very much focusing on microenterprise and community enterprise,” explains Brendan McGrath, Chief Executive, Galway City Council. “Ongoing since Christmas, we will be progressing to a new draft development plan for Galway city.”
BUILDING ON SUCCESS This year has also been a positive period for Galway’s reputation on the international stage, with recognition by Travel + Leisure as the world’s friendliest city, the Financial Times noting the city’s potential in the digital and ICT sectors, alongside being named as a European Region of Gastronomy for 2018, an award which will undoubtedly lead to significant opportunities for the city. More recently, Galway was named European Capital of Culture 2020 at a ceremony in Dublin, a significant coup for the city. Galway will receive a prize of s1.5 million from the EU and will jointly hold the Capital of Culture honour with Rijeka in Croatia.
Speaking before the announcement, Mark O’Donnell, a member of the Galway 2020 bid team, commented on the potential impact of the title, and the invaluable support received from the business community in Galway. “This is a once in a generation opportunity to use culture as a tool for positive transformation,” he explained. “Galway 2020 has actively engaged with businesses of all sizes to back the bid via its Business Engagement programme – BE Galway 2020. The support from the business sector has been absolutely phenomenal. Business in Galway city voluntarily accepted a 3 per cent increase in rates to support the bid which is unprecedented, and a very clear sign of support.” Looking forward, the future for Galway city is bright. The new development plan, alongside recognition on both a national and international stage, looks set to spur Galway city on to greater things, building on positive attributes which include a world class medical technology sector, continually enhanced transport links, and the presence of two third level institutions in NUIG and GMIT. “Those are key building blocks, laying very important foundation stones for Galway’s development,” McGrath concludes.
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19/07/2016 13:07