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Inishowen Inc., to build 'Brand
Inishowen'
09.10.09
BUSINESS people in
Inishowen have come together to form a new lobby
group aimed at getting the peninsula out of its
economic crisis.
Inishowen Incorporated has come about as a result of
traders' frustration at the high cost of commercial
rates, the drying up of cash flow, job losses
coupled with the peninsula's position as a border
economy that creates an unlevel playing field in
many areas, not least varying VAT rates.
The lobby group was loosely formed in May just
before this year's local elections but this week it
unveiled itself more formally as Inishowen Inc., in
a press release to the local media. |
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Inishowen is a select
committee with four working groups namely:
Government Liaison & Finance, Business Development,
Tourism and Social & Community. Among the conveners
are lecturer Christina McEleney, accountant Philip
McGonigle, a partner with Carlin and McLaughlin
Accountants; Muff businessman Jim McLaughlin,
hotelier Cecil Doherty; Michael Doherty of Doherty
Motors, Moville and Breda Gill of Buncrana Chamber
of Commerce. Others include Buncrana business
development manager Kieran Henderson and Malin Head
businessman Michael Doherty. |
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"Our political masters
are too in tatters with our national economy
borrowing €400 million a week to break even – there
is nothing in the kitty now and no hope in the
longer term of financial aid to kick start the
Inishowen economy. It’s an horrific but nonetheless
stark reality and one where we have one option –
adopt a 'can do' attitude and attempt to help
ourselves in a spirit of innovation, co-operation
and determination to succeed," said Inishowen Inc.,
PRO Cecil Doherty.
"Inishowen Inc., is a little acorn born from the
business communities' frustration at the cost |
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of commercial rates
valuations - established in times of plenty - now
being applied in times of little. Cash flow is
desperately curtailed, placing businesses and a
significant number of jobs in real jeopardy." The
new group has drawn up a plan of campaign to "build
the generic brand that is Inishowen”. "The raw
material is literally under our feet - the beautiful
peninsula in which we live. We have natural beauty
and an educated and skilled |
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population. We should
harness both, now, today and coupled with an
international marketing campaign, we can begin the
regeneration process.
"No walk of life or geographical area should or will
be excluded – the important thing is the
understanding that we are all helping each other and
by doing so we all survive this mess," added Mr
Doherty. The group aims to connect businesses,
influence change and deliver projects in partnership
with key stakeholders such as Donegal County
Council, Inishowen Development Partnership,
Inishowen Tourism and the Ilex urban regeneration
body in Derry. Inishowen Inc., plans to host a
public meeting in due course when a proper structure
and development plan will be outlined.
In the meantime, the group says Inishowen has to
come together to "get out of this mess".
"After all, Inishowen is only 26 miles long and 25
miles wide with a total population of 30,000 people.
Given that we are small change, in the overall
context of the crisis facing the country in general,
we must help ourselves out of this mess." If you
have any ideas for Inishowen Inc., or would like to
know more about the upcoming meeting, email
kieran.henderson@hotmail.com . |
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