Ballina Chamber is the town's largest business organisation and its role is to
promote the economic and social development of the community in order to make
it a better place in which to live, work and do business.
Newly elected President, local businessman Paddy O'Hora, believes that
the town's major strengths are in the areas of tourism and retail. Following
consultation with members, he and the Chamber will be pursuing policies that
seek to enable the development of the town in these and other sectors.
The new President is joined by Chamber Officers Kevin Connolly and Joe Slater
(Joint Vice-Presidents); David Dwane (Secretary); Greg Connolly (Treasurer);
and Charlie Doherty (Assistant Treasurer).
The Chamber has always played an integral role in many aspects of
the commercial, recreational and cultural life of the town, and has been
heavily involved in attracting events such as the All-Ireland Fleadh Ceoil
and the All-Ireland Pipe Band Championship.
It lobbied heavily for the new N26 Ballina to Bohola road and for improvements
to the N59 Crossmolina Road, which it believes are critical to the economic
development of Ballina and the surrounding areas.
Other infrastructural projects than the Chamber successfully supported were the
building of the Metropolitan Area Network for broadband and the connection of the
National Gas Network to Ballina.
At a more local level the Chamber has been an informal umbrella body for many
organisations around the town, using its expertise and administrative capabilities
to help deliver important projects such as the new Ballina Arts Centre and the
recent Salmon Capital status.
The organisation has spearheaded campaigns to protect and enhance the town's
shopping district, and has encouraged and supported Ballina Town Council in its
plans to develop the Market Square/Pearse Street/ Humbert Street area.
Every year the Chamber of Commerce organises Christmas lights and the
successful Santa's Grotto to enhance the town's appearance during the festive
season.
Other members of the new Ballina Chamber of Commerce Council include Billy
Heffron, Maura Flannery, Anthony Heffernan, Peter Jordan, Mark Winters,
Gerry Kenny, Padraig Moore, Peter Loftus, Pamela Brownlee, Sinead Costello,
Sue Ellen Griffith, Sean O'Connell and Chamber Chief Executive, Sandra Cribben.
"Tourism is an area where a fast return could be seen for the town and, now that
Ballina has destination status from Fáilte Ireland, the Chamber has to be seen as
a major player in this area", said the new President in his first address to the
Council.
"But the development of tourism in the region also feeds into other priority areas,"
said Mr. O'Hora.He said that the Chamber will co-operate with Ballina Town
Council and Ballina Tidy Towns on improving the look of the town in order to make
it as attractive as possible for residents, tourists and shoppers.Working to
improve the traffic flow and to increase parking around the town is also an
imperative for tourism and business interests alike.
"The Chamber plays a vital role in lobbying for the town at local, regional and
national levels and will work closely with other organisations to promote Ballina
and the Moy Valley region for the benefit of everyone living there," concluded
Mr. O'Hora.