*Photograph: Joe Buckley
ORGANISING of a project to recognise the economic importance of the Smithstown Industrial Estate to the region is to commence.
Officials in the Shannon Municipal District are to engage with colleagues in the Local Enterprise Office on an initiative to acknowledege the contribution of the industrial estate to the local economy.
This dialogue is to begin following a motion by Cllr John Crowe (FG) who appealed to the Shannon MD to lead a project “to recognise the importance of the Smithstown Industrial Estate to both the Shannon and Mid-West region”.
He highlighted the “huge role” of Smithstown ‘in promoting employment and contributing to the economic success of the area’.
Acting senior executive officer in the Shannon MD, Anne Griffin acknowledged that Smithstown Industrial Estate is viewed “as a key enabler of economic activity for Clare and the wider region. Most of the companies located there are local indigenous businesses creating valued employment and many have been supported on their growth journey by the Local Enterprise Office. It is proposed to engage with various stakeholders including businesses located in Smithstown/East Park to establish a consensus around how to recognise the contribution those businesses make to our local economy”.
Speaking at the March meeting of the Shannon MD, Cllr Crowe referenced the “fantastic work” the Smithstown Industrial Estate has done for Shannon. “I am looking for some type of monument to recognise what they have done. It is hidden away and I’d like to recognise all the jobs which have been produced out of the area”.
Seconding the proposal, Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) commented, “Smithstown makes a massive economic contribution to the area”.
Cathaoirleach of the Shannon MD, Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) noted, “There’s loads of small local businesses who support local teams and groups” while Cllr Pat O’Gorman (FF) informed the meeting “it is where I started off my working life”.
