Longford town should be designated as a gateway region for the west and northwest, economist Dr Peter Bacon has recommended. In a report being launched today, he said the size of the town, the promise of new industry and Longford's central location would make it an ideal growth centre.
Dr Bacon said such designation could be boosted if the local authority provided facilities for a major retail park in a central location. This would attract companies seeking to relocate to a lower cost centre.
He said that Longford town could be targeted as a key zone for the decentralisation of Government departments.
"This could be further enhanced by the development of the tourism industry based on the Shannon and canal system, using resources indicated in the NDP [National Development Plan]," he added.
Dr Bacon's report discouraged the promotion of very large housing developments as well as one-off dwellings. Instead, he recommended the "clustering" of housing.
The lack of small industrial enterprises in Longford should be tackled by the promotion of small- and medium-sized enterprises, he said.
The report found "a stunning level" of poverty on farms on the northern part of Longford with little opportunity for off-farm employment. It also found the average farm income in the county was £8,000 but estimated it was much lower in north Longford where the land was poorer.
The report was welcomed by Mr Frank Sheridan, director of community and enterprise with Longford County Council. He said it would be a valuable contribution to the work of the County Development Board in drawing up a strategy, due for publication by the end of the year, for the development of the county.
Predicting a 50 per cent growth of Longford town over the next few years, Longford Chamber of Commerce urged that Dr Bacon's recommendations be immediately acted on. A spokesman said the county council should actively encourage the decentralisation of Government offices to the area and should set up a review body to oversee implementation of the report.