Introduction

Economic Mission

To protect and enhance the quality of life of the citizens of County Waterford and to establish County Waterford as a world class business location.

Over recent years Waterford County Council has prioritised economic development.  Through the Invest in Waterford initiative, a suite of projects have been implemented expeditiously to significantly enhance County Waterford as a competitive business location as follows:

Improved Economic Policy

• Increased in the land zoned for employment use in key centres throughout the County.  These include zoning of strategic sites in Butlerstown, Kilmeaden, Carrick-on-Suir, Tramore and Dungarvan;
  
  
• Identified opportunity sites in Lismore, Kilmacthomas, Cappoquin, Ardmore, Portlaw and Dunmore East;
  
  
• Adopted policies that provide planning clarity to potential investors, particularly in relation to retail planning, renewable energy and rural tourism;
  

Infrastructure & Access

• Improved access to Waterford Regional Airport, Cork International Airport and the Port of Waterford
  
  
• Increased the capacity of the County’s water services;
  
  
• Enhanced the competitiveness, resilience and capacity of the broadband infrastructure of the County;
  

Networking & Profile Building

• Built the profile of the County through: national and international media; improved web presence; and greater regional, national and international relationships;
  
  
• Improved liaison with businesses in the County, both directly with individual businesses and through a range business associations such as Chambers of Commerce; and
  

Economic Focus of Waterford County Council

• Established a dedicated Economic Unit that delivers of a range of short, medium and long term objectives such as events and festivals, promotion, inter-agency collaboration and project delivery.  

The focus on economic development of the County has yielded results, particularly in local services and retail, tourism, infrastructure, entrepreneurship and foreign direct investment.  Waterford County Council will continue to prioritise economic development.  In this context, the Council has prepared this Economic Plan, which it is committed to implementing in partnership with the development agencies and representative organisations.