Enterprise Developing Incentives and Controls

County Mayo, Ireland

There is an extensive community development network in the county.

The County Enterprise Board

Established in 1993 the primary objectives of Mayo County Enterprise Board are:

To provide an Integrated Package of assistance to small and micro enterprises within the County
To promote and develope an Enterprise Culture
To attempt to influence the allocation of resources for small enterprises from the European Community and from private and public funding sources.

The Mayo County Enterprise Board offers a range of Business Advice, Financial Supports, Counselling and Management Development Training to achieve these objectives.

The goal of the Mayo County Enterprise Board Business Resource is to provide an online resource of quality, useful information and advice to enterprises in the County.

LEADER Companies

Liaisons Entr' Actions de Developpement de l'Econonie Rurale
(Links between actions for the development of the rural economy.)

There are a number of Leader Companies providing grants for new businesses to set up in Mayo:

South Mayo Leader Company
IRD Kitimagh
Moy Valley Resources

Renewal Scheme for Traditional Seaside Resorts

A range of tax incentives are available for investment in qualifying tourist facilities in designated traditional resort areas. In County Mayo the designated areas are Westport and Achill Island. Allowances apply to investment made during the three year period commencing 1 July 1995 and ending 30 June 1998.

Town Improvements Scheme

In 1991 the Council embarked on a Town Improvements Programme with the aim of upgrading the small towns and villages throughout the county. This Programme covered nineteen of our small towns outside the urban areas. ranging in population from 250 to 1800. Belmullet, Kiltimagh and Swinford are examples of towns that benefited from this scheme

The original Mayo Town Improvement Programme was the first organised town enhancements scheme on a countywide basis in the country. A five year programme is being put in place for the years 1995-1999 which will see the scheme extended to include larger towns, smaller towns and villages all of which will find a place within the overall programme. The Mayo County Council Town Improvements Programme 1996-2000 will guide the investment of more than £8 million in environmental improvement works throughout the county.

Life Programme

Eco Labelling Project

The purpose of LIFE Eco-Labelling Project is to devise a method which will signify that a particular area has a top class environment and that the quality of the environment itself is an attraction for tourists to visit an area. The Eco - Labelwill also signify that areas are being developed in a manner that actively respects and enhances the environment of the area. It will also be a quality mark for products manufactured within the area.

The Eco-Label will be recognition Europe-wide that the environment in Mayo is second to none and will be an incentive to tourists to visit the County because of this.

ECOS / OUVERTURE Programme

The INWARD PROJECT (Inland Waterways and Rural Development) Project undertaken through the ECOS/OUVERTURE Programme of the European Union. is aimed at examining ways in which Inland Waterways can be developed as leisure and tourist amenities and act as a focus for rural development.

The Partners involved in the Exchange were;

Mayo County Council* and Galway County Council Ireland
Lancashire County Council United Kingdom
Province of Groningen The Netherlands
Okresni Urad, Hodonin Czech Republic

* Mayo County Council was the co-ordinator for the Project

Preliminary findings of the Corrib/Mask/Cong Canal Study suggest that the development of the two lakes for a wider range of recreational activities should have immediate priority. Mayo and Galway County Councils have agreed to produce a Discussion Document to be used in future consultations with local development and tourism groups with an interest in developing the Corrib/Mask Navigation. The possible completion of the Cong Canal will remain a longer term objective of the Study.

The exchange of documentation and ideas between the four partners about waterways development has presented new options for waterways development to all partners involved in the project.

Twinning arrangements

Twinning arrangements have been formalised with Calderdale Council in Halifax and Northumberland County Council. A Calderdale Mayo Youth Exchange Programme has been drawn up with approximately 50 students from Calderdale visiting Mayo at Easter 1996 and a return visit of Mayo students to Calderdale proposed for Easter 1997. Halifax Youth Band and party propose to visit Mayo in March 1996 to celebrate St Patrick's Day with us.

Twinning links are currently being established with Tameside Metropoltian Borough. It is also proposed to enter into twinning arrangements with Cleveland City Council in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A. and to foster twinning links with Local Authorities in Northern Ireland.

There is no doubt that such twinning arrangements will have a beneficial impact on Mayo

Mayo County Council