Ballinasloe Area Community Development AGM

By Liam Cosgrove

​The Annual General Meeting of the not for profit Charitable Community Company BACD was held remotely via Zoom for the first time in its 21 year history. Based at the Enterprise Centre, the Company Chairperson Seamus Duffy and Manager, gave some very detailed reports to the online attendees, which comprised of members and general public as well as Deputy Denis Naughten, Senator Aisling Dolan and Cllr Michael Connolly on June 11th. Seamus in his report, outlined the numerous meetings, deputations, seminar attendances and follow ups they had with Galway County Council, IDA, Enterprise Ireland, The Just Transition Team, and Dept of Rural and Community Affairs. He thanked the Board and the staff of the Company for all their commitment and work on the various different projects. While there were disappointments a plenty good progress has been made on the different events and projects that were undertaken by the Board and the Town Team. He went through, in some detail, the Rural Regeneration Fund process, the St. Brigid’s Open Day, the Hidden Heartland Workshop, The Zombie Walk, The People of the Year Awards, The limited Xmas Lights Campaign and the Street Enhancement programme.

Company Manager Lyn Donnelly, reported how the core spine to the whole operation – the Enterprise and Technology Centre was supporting some 170 jobs and hosting 26 firms. She also detailed the statistics on the Life Magazine, which is now almost a cost neutral project but for the current year owing to the COVID two editions where no advertising money was collected – the subsidy would be significant on the books for next year. She also reviewed the work of the PULSE Club and the variety of events they programmed throughout the year. The Shop Local campaign morphing into the Shoponline.ie was also detailed. The Work of the Town Team under the new Co-ordinator Anita Killeen and the pop up clinics ran was explained. Company Auditor, James Coyle of Coyle and Co., gave a detailed presentation on the 12 months audited accounts showing income at €304,817 and expenses at €252,020 with the surplus being retained on the balance account for the next Capital investment project the board may consider.

Brian King, a Board Director, gave an overview on the plan he is co ordinating for the Company - Ballinasloe 2030 which is at preliminary draft stage and he is scoping inputs from a variety of stakeholders. The plan sees as its core the mission of the next development phase as one of Ballinasloe becoming a SMART town – becoming a hub for remote and hub type working. Following from the AGM and subsequent board meeting the BACD Board is constituted as follows: Only changes were the retirement of Paul Hargadon and co-option on the board of Eoghan Kenny Sean Kelly: (Credit Union), Dan Dowling: (Creagh Com Dev Council), Michael Connolly: (Galway County Council), Seamus Duffy: (Membership), Valerie Dolan: (Membership), Joe Lyons: (Membership), Kevin Broderick: (Membership), Pearse Keller: (Membership), Marina Downey: (Membership), Noel Madden: (Co-opted), John McKenna: (Co-opted), Ruth Sheridan Cregg: (Coopted),  Brian King: (Co-opted), Anita Kileen: (Co-Opted), Eoghan Kenny: (Co-Opted).

Find out more about the Ballinasloe Enterprise Centre by clicking here.