SPOTLIGHT ON THE MIDLANDS

The four local authorities of the Midlands, Longford, Westmeath, Offaly & Laois, working in partnership with state agencies and industry, under the auspices of the Midlands Regional Enterprise Development Office this month published two sectoral plans; the MidlandsIreland.ie Regional Food & Drink Strategy 2021-2024 and the Midlands Advanced Manufacturing Action Plan 2021-2024, as outcomes of the Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan to 2020.

In welcoming the launch of the plans, Ms Anna Marie

Delaney, Chief Executive of Offaly County Council and Designated Regional CE of the Midlands Local

Authorities stated : “I want to commend both working groups in developing these sectoral plans, both are key employers in the Midlands Region, the implementation of these plans in partnership with regional stakeholders will enable our region to capitalise on its identified strengths in both these sectors.”

The MidlandsIreland.ie Regional Food & Drink Strategy focuses on strengthening the food & drink sector in the region through four strategic pillars: Sustainability; Awareness; Export Capability & Food Tourism:

In welcoming the publication of the Strategy, Minister for Trade Promotion & the Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan, Robert Troy TD, said, “This strategy recognises and seeks to reinforce the unique potential of the Midlands food and drink offering– one of excellence, visibility, and pride. It is about making the Midlands the most sustainable regional food and drink ecosystem in the country.”

The strategy was developed with the support of the Local Enterprise Offices in Laois, Longford, Offaly & Westmeath and the Local Authorities of Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath.

View the full strategy on www.midlandsireland.ie

Pictured at Cloughan Farm & Cookery School, Abbeyshrule, County Longford at the launch of the MidlandsIreland.ie Regional Food & Drink Strategy 2021-2024 L-R Orla Martin, Head of Enterprise, LEO Offaly, Sarah McCarthy, IHH – Failte Ireland, Anna Marie Delaney, CE Offaly CoCo & Designated Regional CE for the Midland Region, Minister Robert Troy and Sarah Morgan, Midlands Regional Enterprise Development Office

Photo: Shelley Corcoran

In launching the Midlands Advanced Manufacturing Action Plan, Minister for Trade Promotion & the Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan, Robert Troy TD, said “Iʼm delighted to launch the Midlands Advanced Manufacturing Action Plan to 2024, which is about making the Midlands an internationally recognised centre of excellence for Advanced Manufacturing and an ideal location for manufacturing companies to grow their business and exports.”

The Action Plan sets out a range of distinctive actions centered on Education and Skills, Research and Innovation and Infrastructure and Networks which will support the development of an advanced and sustainable Midlands manufacturing centre of excellence. Read the full Midlands Advanced Manufacturing Action Plan on www.midlandsireland.ie

Sarah Morgan, Programme Manager, Midlands Regional Enterprise Development Office, wishes to extend her “appreciation to members of the working groups, and to all businesses and enterprises that engaged with the consultation process to inform the actions contained in these plans”.

Pictured at the launch of the Midlands Advanced Manufacturing Action Plan 2021-2024 at IMR

L-R -: Graeme Lowe, Enterprise Ireland, Dr Anne Cusack, Chair of Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan Steering Committee, Minister Robert Troy, Anna Marie Delaney, CE, Offaly CoCo & Designated Regional CE for the Midland Region; Sarah Morgan, Regional Enterprise Development Office

Photo: John McCauley

L-R - Christine Charlton, Head of LEO Westmeath, Dr Anne Cusack, Chair of Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan Steering Committee, Caitriona Mordan, atim cluster; Minister Troy; Dermot OʼNeill, Cobotics Skillnets; Michael Cryan, Abbott Diagnostics & Industry Chair of Midlands Advanced Manufacturing Working Group, Andrew Lynch, IMR; John Costello, Midlands Regional Skills Forum, Sarah Morgan, Regional Enterprise Development Office; Ken Whitelaw, IDA Midlands

Photo: John McCauley