Foreword - County Manager

In recent years Waterford County Council has been implementing a long term Economic Strategy that is designed to position County Waterford as a world-class business location.  By working in partnership with agencies we have delivered an ambitious economic development programme that has zoned strategic employment sites in key centres, provided sustainable property solutions, prioritised infrastructure investment, developed skills and enhanced the penetration and use of broadband technology.  We have also worked with local communities to improve the profile and vibrancy of our towns and villages.  While these were long term strategies, the prioritisation of economic development yielded immediate results and investments in the pharmaceutical, engineering, food, retail and commercial leisure sectors.  These developments confirm my belief in the significant potential of County Waterford. 

The challenges facing businesses as a result of the economic downturn emphasises the priority we must give to economic development and job creation.  Waterford County Council, in association with the agencies, has prepared and commenced implementation of this ambitious economic plan for the period 2010 – 2014.  The objective of the plan is to ensure that County Waterford can meet the challenges facing Ireland and position County Waterford as a prime business location for the evolving knowledge economy.   By providing innovative solutions, we seek to build on our strengths in key sectors that cater for the needs of the future, including science, renewable energy, food, engineering, ICT and international business services.  Our plan will position County Waterford as a location to attract profile mobile industries in these sectors.   To achieve this, we have entered into a memorandum of understanding with Waterford Institute of Technology, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland to develop the 163ha Waterford Knowledge Campus in Waterford Gateway.  This will link with other strategic sites in Tramore, Waterford Airport, Dungarvan, Kilmeaden and Carrick-on-Suir. 

Locally based small to medium enterprises are critical to the sustained economic development of the County.  As part of the plan we will harness entrepreneurship by investing significantly in a network of enterprise centres throughout the County and by assessing the potential to fund and pilot emerging technologies in County Waterford – The Pilot County. 

The economy continues to evolve.  We will keep in constant formal and informal contact with industry to ensure our activities squarely meet the needs of business, ultimately establishing County Waterford as a prime business location.