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THE first-ever economic and community plan for County Kerry has been published this week by Kerry County Council. The Kerry Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) 2016-2022 provides a strategic framework for achieving improved economic and community development in the county in the years ahead.

The plan is the culmination of 12 months of consultation and engagement with local, regional and national partners.

The plan – for which Kerry County Council is the lead partner – brought together a wide range of organisations and agencies working in the areas of economic and community development and has been adopted by the elected members of the council.

It builds on the national and regional policy framework, particularly the Regional Action Plan for Jobs, and will provide enhanced strategic planning, better targeting and co-ordination of resources with the objective of improving the quality of life for everyone living and working in Kerry.

Specific targets for economic and community development are included, those responsible for delivery of these goals are identified and delivery timeframes are set out.

Kerry’s mayor, Cllr Michael O’Shea, said the plan “represents a very comprehensive attempt to improve the attractiveness of our beautiful county as a place to work and live”. “It aims to enhance what we have to offer to companies, small businesses and individuals who want to come to work and live in our county. The Plan recognises the challenges the county faces as well as the opportunities that exist for growth in our local economy and in our communities,” he added.

The chief executive of Kerry County Council, Moira Murrell, said the reforms in local government in recent years give local authorities new enhanced roles in economic and community development in their areas.

This plan provides the county with a roadmap for achieving improved economic and community development, she added.
“Working with bodies like the IDA and Enterprise Ireland to attract more employment and investment to Kerry, the County Council and other agencies will continue to strive for improvements in our employment and economic environment,” said Ms Murrell.
 

 
Mayor of Kerry Michael O'Shea, Moira Murrell, CEO, Kerry County Council, Cllr Jim Finucane, Cllr John Lucide, Cllr Norma Moriarty Chair LCDC, Mick Scannell Director of Services, all pictured at the Wetlands, Tralee, for the launch of the economic plan.
PICTURE: DOMNICK WALSH