Today in Tullamore the recently formed Midlands Gateway Chamber launched its Vision for the Future of the Midlands Gateway at a ceremony attended by Tánaiste Mr. Brian Cowen.

The “Vision for the Future” report describes the Chamber’s strategic plan for the Midlands Gateway and a number of innovative yet realistic proposals to develop the Gateway into Ireland’s premier centre for business and living, over the medium term towards 2020.

Speaking at the launch of their Vision and Strategic Plan, Eugene Moore President of Midlands Gateway Chamber said “We have worked closely as a business community over the past 12 month to analyse the challenges and formulate the solutions to capitalise on the unique opportunity that is the Midlands Gateway.

The three key factors which influence where people choose to live and work are Enterprise, Infrastructure and Quality of Life. Midlands Gateway Chamber are today publishing concrete proposals for real projects in these three key areas that can help deliver the facilities needed for the 350,000 people in our catchment area.

What’s more all our proposals are fully fundable; both in operational and capital spend.”

Just some of the proposals outlined in the Gateway Chamber’s plan are:-

1. A web based plan of the Midlands Gateway showing current and future facilities
2. Development of a cyber infrastructure, connecting all 3 Gateway centres
3. Establishment of the R&D Capacities of Athlone Institute if Technology (AIT) as the premier centre for commercially based research by 2010.
4. Development of two new AIT innovation centres in Mullingar and Tullamore, with an incorporated outreach centre to provide upskilling, reskilling and higher education on a part time basis
5. Faster road completions
6. The identification of Midlands Gateway towns on the national signage network
7. Improved rail links within the gateway region and between gateway region and greater Dublin area.
8. Full WiFi access rollout in the three Gateway towns
9. Building and promoting a Midlands and Lakeland’s brand, and
10. Creating a suite of promotional material and form a specific tourism agency with a sole function of promoting the Midlands.

      

The plan also outlines suggestions for additional sources of funding to help Midlands Gateway Chamber deliver on its goals, such as:-

1. The extension of Mid Shannon Corridor Tax incentives,
2. The establishment of a Midlands Development Commissions to help attract required skill set to the Midlands.
3. Special funding for Strategic Development Zones for advance energy supply and water and waste treatment services.
4. The establishment of a pilot Midlands Gateway Capital Treasury Bond to fast track priority infrastructure central to competitive positioning of Gateway towns, not accommodated in the Capital Envelope.
5. The initiation of a Gateway Private R&D Investment Fund that provides Investor Capital allowances write off, and rental income sheltering against a rebalancing in residential tax sheltering developments.

Says Moore, “The Midlands Gateway Chamber is the only organisation that exists solely for the implementation of the Midlands Gateway ideal. We received our mandate from the three town Chambers of Athlone, Tullamore and Mullingar, that combined represent some 700 businesses and traders.

We want to amplify the great work being done by local Government and other State Agencies in the Midlands in the delivery of the Strategic Development Framework. To deliver on our goals, we see ourselves working in partnership with the local authorities in assisting, encouraging and monitoring their progress.

     

The key difference between the Chamber and other lobby groups is that the Chamber will not only highlight problem areas should they arise, but also endeavour to suggest and provide solutions in a non partisan or politically motivated way.

About Midlands Gateway Chamber Midlands Gateway Chamber is a lobby group representing the combined interests of the towns of Athlone, Mullingar and Tullamore Midland Gateway Chamber has two key goals: - to promote the region as a competitive and attractive option for business and population growth and to work hand in hand with the Public Sector to further drive investment in Infrastructure, Enterprise and Quality of Life Projects in the Gateway.

Download of a copy of the Midland Gateway Vision Booklet click here