Happy News Blitz
Updated : May 28, 2009
No Recession Here!
A new website has been launched which aims to drag Ireland out of recession by promoting business growth through new ideas for websites.
The site, called norecessionroundhere.com, has been likened to the Dragons’ Den, but rather than pitching ideas in person to business entrepreneurs, users can pitch their ideas for new websites through norecssionroundhere.com.
Instead of investing capital, the potential investors are web developers who will invest their time in return for a share of the new website’s profits or equity.
Speaking at the launch of norecessionroundhere.com in Galway, the creator of the site, Mr Fergal Donlon, said:
"norecessionroundhere.com is a way for individuals who may not have the time or expertise to bring their idea to life. Many people are losing their jobs and lots of them will be sitting around with good business ideas but no facility to bring them to fruition. Furthermore, there are companies who are not in a position at the moment to invest capital in the online arena and this model may suit them too."
Wind Energy Company Plans To Blow Into Clare
A wind energy development co-operative in County Clare today announced plans to construct one of Ireland’s largest wind farms.
Subsequent to obtaining planning approval and permission for grid connection, West Clare Renewable Energy Ltd. (WCRE) says it hopes to construct 30 3MW wind turbines on the slopes of Mount Callan, a 391-metre high mountain located between Ennis and Miltown Malbay.
The company claims the proposed EUR200 million project would be capable of generating enough electricity to power every home and business in County Clare, as well as meeting the Limerick Clare Energy Agency’s 2010 targets for emissions reductions and renewable energy production. The community-based scheme is expected to provide up to 300 jobs during the construction phase.
Derry Plans To Increase Tourism
Plans to increase tourist visitors to Derry by 8% in each of the next three years were unveiled today.
The Maiden City’s Tourism Strategy and Action Plan was launched by Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster who said it sought to enhance the tourism product on offer, while investing in new infrastructure and realising the full potential of the region’s unique historic and cultural assets.
The minister said: “Derry’s Tourism Strategy can make an important regional contribution to the programme for government’s tourism targets.
“These include increasing visitor numbers by 25% and visitor spend by 40%.â€
Commenting on the opportunities of cross-border tourists she said: “Despite the wider economic climate, statistics for 2008 show that the number of holidaymakers from the Republic of Ireland is up by 26% compared to the same period in 2007.
“I am confident that we can build on this and encourage our closer to home markets to explore more of Northern Ireland for themselves.â€
Derry City Council Mayor Gerard Diver said the strategy placed tourism as a priority economic driver that would create jobs and new opportunities for growth.
