During a recent economic stimulus workshop which was attended by Westport town councillors, a number of positive proposals were discussed in order to generate a boost to the locality during these bleak national economic times.
While examining the issue of rates, which is legislated by the Local Government Rates Act, it was proposed that the town clerk would contact the Department of Environment to see if there is any scope for an alternative waiver scheme for a business which is unique to the town. The clerk is to also prepare a document to show the marketing and promotional activities that Westport Town Council carries out annually on behalf of the business interests of the town. Concerning a rates remission for the IDA Park, the IDA normally puts an incentive scheme for potential investors and rates can form part of this package.
Rents in the town were also examined with the task force agreeing that the Chamber of Commerce would be in a better position to push a review of rents.
A proposal for a support services section for businesses in the town which are associated with tourism was also debated, however, with a recruitment freeze in the public sector it was not viable for the town council to expand its services for this. However, the Mayo County Enterprise Board already provides many support services. The workshop explored the possibility of having a representative of the enterprise board available to meet those interested on appointment and that an information pack would also be available in order to assist people’s access to the Enterprise Board as quickly as possible.
Promotion of the town for tourism was high on the agenda, with a monetary boost from Westport Town Council and Destination Westport, which have put €60,000 aside for the promotion of the area. Fáilte Ireland will also match this figure.
Apart from tourism, the workshop recommended that a follow up meeting with Destination Westport should be arranged to look at ways that Westport can be promoted as a conference centre, and to examine the possibility of partnering with other event centres such as the TF Royal in Castlebar in order to host large national events, and Westport also needs to be promoted as a location for film productions.
The need for continued lobbying for fibre optic broadband for the area was also discussed.
