Together we can drive recovery

THE response to COVID-19, and our eventual recovery, will need a bottom/up trajectory rather than a top/down one. To achieve this, people must start seeing their local economies as essential to local recovery - the support of every citizen in every town is necessary. Our high street and village shops are the covert symbols of identity and growth; places we take for granted because we see them day after day; and yet behind this network of shop fronts is a story etched in the community’s economic and social progress.

Together, we must support the places where we live, work and socialise as we make our way out of this pandemic. We need to recalibrate our economic thinking in a way that asks: ‘can I buy this locally?’; we need to know that our high street and village shops are the micro economies that support the jobs that support people’s prospects of living in communities where they come from.

The economic recovery has already started, but it’s up to each of us to ensure it is a locally driven recovery. Together we can be part of the recovery.

KERRY County Council has launched a new web portal which will serve as an online one-stop-shop for businesses in Kerry which need support and advice as economic activity begins to resume across a number of sectors.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 emergency, Kerry County Council has been providing a range of services and supports to Kerry businesses, including a special Freephone helpline to provide information and advice.

All of the various initiatives and supports which are in place are now accessible on a new standalone business website, business.kerrycoco.ie and features details of:

• Restart Grant details and application form • Support Helpline and contact details

• New #KerryOpenForBusiness Directory

• Information on training and webinars

• Supports available from the Kerry Local Enterprise Office • Research and surveys on the impact of COVID-19

• Details of the Council’s Economic Recovery Team

• Details of the Kerry Interagency Business Forum

Kerry County Council has also published the new directory of businesses which have reopened in recent weeks and is still accepting submissions from business via its website. The directory includes almost 500 Kerry business, services and outlets which are open, or are reopening, and that number continues to grow.

The Council continues to operate its Business Support Line on 1800 807 102 which can provide advice and referrals to businesses as appropriate and as the COVID-19 restrictions continue to be amended. Visit: https://business.kerrycoco.ie/