Dear Chamber Member,
I hope you, your family and colleagues are keeping safe and well. With early signs of reducing Covid case numbers, we look forward with hope and optimism to further easing of restrictions. We continue to deliver our dynamic events and training schedule, our export services for you and your teams, all the while advocating on matters that affect your business, your industry and your city region.
Resilience, determination and innovation are traits that have come to the fore particularly throughout the pandemic, and we are keen to recognise the tremendous achievements of our business community. This week we have opened the Cork Company of the Year Awards 2022 for applications. Now in their 24th year, these awards run in association with Vodafone Ireland and media partner the Irish Examiner, have revealed some stellar examples of how businesses across Cork set themselves apart, contribute to our economy and excel in their field.
Applications will remain open until Monday February 7th and we welcome entries, or nominations, for all sectors of business across the region. The detail on the categories, Emerging, SME, Large & International is available on our website. www.corkchamber.ie.
We look forward to another busy and competitive awards and to celebrating and promoting some of the region’s great business achievements.
Today, we welcome the announcement that Cork City Council has issued a pre-qualification tender to progress much need public realm and flood defence works at Morrisons Island. The Morrison’s Island upgrade will remove approximately 80% of city centre flooding. It will create bike lanes and public spaces where today there is only dilapidation and car parking. This project plan has been scrutinised at every step of planning process from a Council vote to an Bord Pleanála and the High Court and it is positive to see that investment can now be made to bring a neglected bank of the river Lee back to life and minimise the flooding potential for the area.
As the City moves beyond the pandemic, it must continue to invest and build on its public realm and active mobility credentials, ensuring a people-centric focus, ease of movement and that our urban spaces support sustainable city living.
Warm regards,
Conor Healy
CEO
