There are numerous local business groups in the Mid-West region, a sample of which is detailed below
Limerick Chamber
Limerick Chamber is one of the five oldest Chambers of Commerce in Ireland and the UK. It was formally constituted by Charter on 2nd June 1815 but had established itself as a Chamber of Commerce in 1805. Up to then it was known as the Society of Merchants of the Staple whose origins trace back to the Guild of Merchants in the early 17th Century.
Limerick Chamber is one of the major provincial Chambers of Commerce in Ireland with some 500 member companies representing industry, trade, commerce, tourism and the professional services. The Limerick Chamber covers Limerick City, Limerick County, Shannon – where we have a branch office and South East Clare. We are affiliated to Chambers Ireland which links us to a network of some 60 chambers with 13,000 members around the country.
The mission of Limerick Chamber is to provide business leadership and to promote and enhance economic well-being and quality of life so that all areas of our community can prosper. We are fundamentally a business representative and lobbying organisation and that is in business for its members.
Shannon Development
Shannon Development is the Government agency responsible for the economic development of Ireland's Shannon Region, including the promotion and development of industry and tourism.
Shannon & District Chamber of Commerce
Shannon and District Chamber of Commerce was formed in 1995 to represent the views and concerns of the commercial interests of the greater Shannon Area. The chamber now boasts a membership of over 200 individuals, representing individual members, SMEs and Multinational Corporations.
The Shannon Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organisation. It's board of management comprises 12 Directors, all of whom are involved in various aspects of business in the region. The workings of the Chamber are sub-divided between eight task teams, each of whom have specific briefs in relation to issues arising in the following areas:
- Town & Local Government
- Retailers
- Shannon Airport
- Industry & Infrastructure
- Tourism
- Finance and e-Commerce
- Membership
- Site Development
SkyCourt Shannon
Sky Court Shannon is a major development of 200,000 ft2 of shopping, lifestyle and leisure facilities. Included in the new development - are the success of the current Shannon Town Centre shopping centre - will be a department store, a Tesco store, a food court, many new shops and a multi storey car park. A town square is being created in Phase 1. This will be a civic space, a meeting place and a place to shop.
Shannon Free Zone
Shannon Free Zone, Ireland's largest cluster of North American investments, has a successful track record as a location for international companies wishing to serve the European market. Currently there are over 8,000 people employed at Shannon Free Zone in a widely diverse range of manufacturing and international service activities. Adjoining Shannon International Airport Size: 240 Hectares (650 acres)
Companies and Sectors
Accommodation: Ready to occupy manufacturing, office and distribution space at competitive rents or land available for custom buildings. Further expansion phase of 400,000 square feet mixed manufacturing, office and distribution space currently underway.
Shannon Business Centre
The Business Centre owned by Shannon Development was built 15 years ago to facilitate small startup business from the local community. Many businesses have moved on to bigger and greater success over the years. Originally when built it accommodated 13 units and now there are 23 units. Unit size ranges form 120 sq. ft. to 500 sq .ft.
Smithstown Industrial Estate
In 1977 Shannon Development identified Smithstown as a location for Town Services for the Town of Shannon. With the advent of the Indigenous Industry Programme piloted by Shannon Development in the early 8o's Smithstown quickly developed as a centre for small indigenous industry and home to a number of companies serving Shannon Free Zone. Over the past 20 years Smithstown Industrial Estate has grown to be one of the largest cluster of indigenous industry Outside of Dublin. Located to the north of Shannon Town the Estate links to the new East Park Industrial Estate which is home to both National and Foreign company operating on the International markets. Smithstown Industrial Estate accommodates more than 30 small indigenous companies in the manufacturing and service sectors.
Atlantic Way
The Atlantic Way, based in Ireland, is a globally significant cluster of Information, Communications and Technology companies (ICT) / Medical Technology companies. The cluster comprises of circa. 270 companies employing over 22,000 people. Around two-thirds of the companies are Irish owned and the remainder are North American and European.
IDA
IDA Ireland is an Irish Government agency with responsibility for securing new investment from overseas in manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors. It also encourages existing investors to expand and develop their businesses.
FÁS
FÁS provides a range of training and employment programmes, aimed at employers, employees and unemployed people.
IBEC
The Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC) provides a wide range of services to over 7,000 member businesses and organisations from all sectors and of all sizes.