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Irish Delegation Visits Jacksonville

11/24/2009 4:12:55 PM

Over the past year the Cornerstone Regional Economic Development Partnership has been working to establish a close joint bilateral relationship with The Atlantic Way, a regional business organization serving the Shannon-Limerick-Galway region of Western Ireland. The Atlantic Way has modeled itself after Cornerstone and has sought to develop Cornerstone’s close working relationship between the public and private sectors.

In June of this year a Jacksonville/Northeast Florida delegation, led by Mayor Peyton, Cornerstone business leaders and our Partner counties, Clay and Nassau, were hosted by The Atlantic Way as part of our growing relationship to foster development in both regions. Besides the warm hospitality shown to our delegation a close bond developed between our two business sectors and a number of companies representing Western Ireland’s emerging clean tech and software companies expressed interest in visiting Jacksonville. On November 16 a delegation of 10 business leaders from The Atlantic Way arrived in Jacksonville for a four day visit.

The Atlantic Way delegation was headed by Brian O’Connell, Managing Director of Westpark Shannon, one of Ireland’s premier hi-tech office parks. Brian is also Chairman of the Atlantic Way and incoming Chair of the Shannon Airport Authority. The delegation began their visit with a mini-expo where the companies had the opportunity to showcase their products to Jacksonville/Northeast Florida businesses. Individual meetings were also held with other local companies to develop additional exposure for the Irish products. Other areas of development during the delegation visit included tourism, regional development, and cooperation between the Jacksonville and Shannon Airport Authorities to pursue establishment of better air links between the two communities.

The Atlantic Way delegation had the opportunity to experience Jacksonville’s Southern hospitality and Florida lifestyle at a series of luncheons and dinners attended by Mayor Peyton and representatives of our regional partners. They also toured JAXPORT and Cecil Commerce Center and the St. Johns Town Center and St. Augustine Outlets.

Before departing back to Ireland one of the companies in the delegation announced that they will be establishing their company in Jacksonville/Northeast Florida creating 15 new high paying jobs.  Another is planning to return in January to also pursue setting up a presence here. Before leaving one of the visitors commented “We Irish are noted for our warmth but Jacksonville has totally outshined us.”

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