Connect with Clare County Clare is a proven Demographics and level education – this is continually location for international companies Human Resources increasing. The county has an extensive and a gateway to global markets. and experienced knowledge-based pool A young population: It combines a low risk, high reward, of human resources. Clare has an overall population of stable and supportive business Nearby universities, third-level colleges 110,950 with 35% under the age of environment with an excellent and cutting-edge research institutes 25. The greatest proportion of the standard of living. guarantee that graduates skills are population is of working age. There is industry relevant. considerable scope for the population to Shannon and Ennis have the most Full socio-economic data, demographic grow thanks to the availability of land advanced business and industrial trends, population density, age profiles, for housing and economic development, activities, while the smaller socio-economic status, education, and active policies are in place to urban centres of Ennistymon, location and size of businesses, achieve this. Kilrush, Scarriff and Killaloe all industrial production and foreign direct A well-educated and skilled workforce: have developed economic activity investment are available on 16.4% of the population have 3rd due to continual advances in www.clarecoco.ie/business. telecommunications, infrastructure and the availability of land and property. Significant potential for Many international businesses further development exists for KEY SECTORS have already chosen Clare. • Medical Technologies and investors and entrepreneurs. Just some include: Healthcare • Aerospace BUSINESS ASSISTANCE Intel Lufthansa Technik FROM STATE AGENCIES • Engineering & Electronics Ireland benefits from a low tax regime • International Services Zimmer Roche Ireland with a corporate tax rate of 12.5%. It • Pharmaceuticals GE Capital Schwarz Pharma has two-way taxation agreements in • ICT place with 44 countries. • Software GECAS Magellan Aviation Financial assistance, incentives, • Research & Development advice and support in establishing Avocent Digital River your business in Clare is available towards employment, research and Element Six Molex development, training, capital costs, PROGRESSIVE PLANNING & market development and property. DEVELOPMENT POLICIES Detailed information is available from: The needs of business are facilitated www.clarecoco.ie/business in County Clare’s planning and development policies. Ongoing consultation with public and private interests ensures that careful consideration is given to balancing the www.enterprise-ireland.com protection of the county’s environment, the quality of life of its communities and economic development. Sufficient, suitable and affordable land has been zoned in all areas of the county to allow www.shannondevelopment.ie for economic activity. Details on land use and zoning, planning policies as well as advice and guidelines are available on www.clarecoco.ie/planning www.idaireland.ie Clare’s Strategic Assets Ongoing Development Clare has a wealth of natural SHANNON resources, geographic advantages and INTERNATIONAL infrastructural pluses which distinguish it from its competitors and enhances AIRPORT the competitiveness of Ireland’s greater Shannon Airport has undergone a €58 mid-west region. million expansion programme. It is the Considerable scope for further only airport in Ireland open 24 hours a development of its strategic assets day, 365 days a year. Operating direct exists and Clare County Council is services to a number of US, UK and working with many public and private European cities including New York, organisations to make progress in a London and Paris, the airport offers number of priority areas. SHANNON ESTUARY frequent access to world markets. Shannon is the first airport in the Areas for development include: Ireland’s largest estuary and premier world outside of America to offer full deepwater port covering a distance of • Transportation and logistics US Pre-clearance allowing hassle-free 100km of navigable waters, and water • Aviation clearing of US emigration and customs depths of up 37m, allows the Shannon • Creative industries in Shannon. • Maritime activities Estuary to cater for ships up to 200,000 • Green energy dwt. An onward onshore road, rail and The presence of the airport in Clare • Life sciences air network offers further potential for has furthered the development of a enhanced bulk cargo business. Potential number of aviation-related industries Green Energy for the Shannon Estuary to develop its and the aerospace sector continues to capacity further has been investigated be actively pursued. Due to its coastal and estuarine and public-private collaboration to Plans are also in motion to develop location, Clare has been to the progress this is underway. the airport further as an international forefront of energy generation for the freight logistics centre. Such a facility whole of Ireland for decades through It is an objective of Clare County would allow for improved services the Moneypoint coal and Arnacrusha Council to facilitate sustainable for many businesses such as life hydroelectric power stations delivering economic activity along the estuary. sciences and enhance existing industry electricity through 110, 220 and 400KVA A number of key opportunity sites for clusters. Opportunities exist for power lines. industrial development have been further engagement of water and air Significant potential for further identified to progress these priorities. freight linkages between the Shannon development in wind, wave, tidal and Airport and the Shannon Estuary for biomass energy exists in Clare and the Shannon Foynes Port Company multi-modal transportation. county is emerging as a leader to deliver www.sfpc.ie www.shannonairport.com on Regional, National and European Climate Change targets to achieve a low carbon economy and energy security. resources of Clare and Ireland’s western • One of Ireland’s best Tidal Energy Plans are underway to develop a low region. resources is located in the Shannon carbon business location and to become Estuary - the resource potential is 110 • Wind speeds in County Clare are a net supplier of green energy as well GWh per annum over three locations in excellent by international standards. as to attract more wide-ranging green the estuary. Onshore wind speeds of up to 9.5m/s industries. – onshore and 11m/s offshore on 75m • Biomass: Clare is the 2nd most A recently developed Wind Energy turbines and up to 11m/s onshore and afforested county in Ireland, with Strategy will help facilitate this in 13m/s offshore on 100m turbine. resources considerably above the national average. County Clare specifically. A number of • Ocean Wave technology resources exciting alliances, such as the Shannon have been identified as over 25,000 MW www.shannonenergyvalley.com Energy Valley, have developed between of which 12,000 MW could be harnessed www.spiritofireland.org private sector, university and public and brought ashore and Clare was www.icea.ie interests to progress the economic identified as one of the best locations opportunities offered by the unique for future test sites. Clare offers your business Telecommunications Key Features Continually improving high quality broadband services in Clare A unique location combining vibrant business activity with has supported the viability and award-winning tourist attractions and unsurpassed quality competitiveness of the economy and improved the quality of life and of life. connectivity for local communities. Broadband in Clare is available through optical fibre networks, DSL, Wireless, Satellite and Mobile as well as a MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) in Kilrush. • Low Corporation Tax www.shannonbroadband.com • International Airport with US Customs & Border preclearance www.broadband.gov.ie/ • Direct access to US, UK and European markets • World-class business space and development sites Clare Business Listings • 100km Deep Water Estuary For information and contacts on local • Wealth of Renewable Energy Resources businesses and services, banks, business • Advanced energy and telecommunications infrastructure property, solicitors and professional • Unrivalled skills and education base advisors. www.clarecoco.ie/business • Internationally Recognised Business Location • Attractive incentives for business • Stable Business Environment Serviced Land and • Existing Clusters & Networks Development Sites • Pro business Planning & Development policies Serviced sites and zoned land are • EU member and English-speaking available. Clare Local Authorities • Ease of business entry and start up Development Plans ensure an adequate • High level of Foreign Direct Investment and multi-national activity supply of appropriately zoned lands in strategic locations. Full details can be • Effective Public Private Partnerships and Collaboration viewed on www.clarecoco.ie/planning • Forward thinking local government • Low cost of living • Variety of high quality amenities, housing and schools Hotel & Conference Facilities As an established business and tourism base, Clare has a wide variety of 3, 4 and 5 star hotels across all towns in the “Choosing the Mid-West Region of Ireland as county offering international standard our International base has been a sound and accommodation and conference facilities. profitable business decision. Access to the highest www.clare.ie technological developments, together with our highly skilled