Galway County Council has achieved a quadruple success at the 2024 All-Ireland Community and Council Awards. The council was recognized for its recently opened BIA Innovator Campus in Athenry, the community-based 'Healthy Islands' initiative, an innovative Corofin start-up, and a pilot scheme aimed at improving energy saving and management in County Galway's social housing stock. The awards ceremony took place at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre and is considered the Oscars of the local government sector. The BIA Innovator Campus in Athenry won the 'National Impact Award', the 'Healthy Islands' project won the 'Best Community Health' category, Corofin-based Heptagon Houses Ltd. won the 'Best Micro Start-Up' category, and Galway County Council won the 'Best Energy Smart Initiative' for its 'Heat Pump Remote Access' project. The BIA Innovator Campus aims to drive growth in Ireland's agri-food sector, the 'Healthy Islands' project promotes health and well-being among residents of The Aran Islands and Inishbofin, Heptagon Houses Ltd. manufactures and installs Timber Framed Greenhouses, and the 'Heat Pump Remote Access' project enables remote monitoring of energy efficiency and maintenance requirements [ab3a67a1].
Meanwhile, several businesses in Inverclyde have been shortlisted for the Scottish Independent Retail Awards. The New Chocolate Company in Port Glasgow is up for Confectionery Retailer of the Year. Greenock’s Blessed Wellness Studio is shortlisted in the Bespoke Retailer category, with Reid MacKellar contesting the Opticians of the Year award. Gourock is represented by Treasured in the Craft and Gift Shop section, and The Pirate and Bluebelle in the Specialist Retailer category. McCaskie’s in Wemyss Bay has been nominated for Butcher of the Year. The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Hilton in Glasgow on April 10 [a9503451].
In Tipperary, Ronan Carroll from Teagasc Kildalton College was honored at the Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year Awards. Carroll was a joint winner of the student section of the awards, with the overall winner being Patrick O’Neill from Longford. The awards, supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, recognize the best grassland farmers in the country who are growing and utilizing more grass on their farms. The awards were presented by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue at the Teagasc Ballyhaise Agricultural College. The prize fund for the awards is €33,000 [89e62ad5].
In County Cork, the Fit-up Festival has been recognized for its unifying force in bringing professional theatre to remote parts of the county. Geoff Gould, the artistic director of the festival, has successfully resurrected the tradition of Fit-ups, where professional theatre companies tour isolated communities without theatre infrastructure. Supported by Cork County Council since 2009, the festival aims to bring quality performances to areas that are often overlooked. The success of the festival lies in its commitment to high-end professional theatre and the understanding that audiences in remote areas are just as important as those in major cities. The Fit-up tradition has expanded beyond West Cork, with festivals now taking place in the Blackwater Valley and West Waterford. Geoff Gould has also mentored and advised Fit-up Festivals in Galway, Clare, and Kerry [a45babdf].
Minister Heather Humphreys has officially opened a series of projects across Co Monaghan. The projects include the former Courthouse in Newbliss, where 2.7 million euro is being spent on a new enterprise and digital hub. The Minister also opened a new outdoor gym area for children in the Peace Campus in Clones. Other projects include the opening of new car park facilities and a safe walking route at St. Enda's National School in Scotshouse, ongoing work to restore the Clones section of the Ulster Canal, and the opening of Éire Óg GFC's Community Walking Track and MUGA playground in Smithborough. The projects were funded by the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. Minister Humphreys says the opening of these projects is great news for Clones [5c9c3f2b].
Kane County in Illinois has announced the first grant recipients of the Kane County Manufacturing Program. The Lighthouse Manufacturing Grants were awarded to companies including Aeromotive Services, Aurora Defense Group, HARTING of North America, JN Machinery, and Richards Wilcox. The program, in collaboration with the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC), aims to equip companies with resources and support to excel in the manufacturing industry. The grants are made possible through funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Kane County Board Chairman Corinne Pierog expressed appreciation for the contributions of manufacturers to the local economy [b583d0c5].
Four Grand Junction-based companies, Skyhook Solar, SG Aerospace & Gas, In8Sync, and JFS LLC, have been selected as finalists for the Colorado Companies to Watch Award. The award recognizes growing companies for their contributions to Colorado's economy. Skyhook Solar engineers transportable solar generators for electric vehicles and shared micromobility vehicles. SG Aerospace and Gas manufactures products for the aerospace, oil and gas, and industrial markets. In8Sync provides support with NetSuite integration and management. JFS LLC assists health care organizations through consulting and accounting services. The winners of the award will be announced on June 21 [77a780bb].
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2024 Indiana County ATHENA awards. The Leadership Award recognizes career or professional excellence, leadership in community service, and individuals who mentor or open doors of leadership opportunities for women. The Young Professional Award is given to those under 40 who demonstrate excellence, creativity, and initiative in their business or profession. Nominees can be men or women, but they must live in Indiana County and must be able to attend the awards ceremony as part of the Emerging Women Leaders Luncheon on October 16. The deadline for nominations is September 1. Businesses, clubs, organizations, and individuals are invited to make nominations. Nomination forms can be found on the Chamber of Commerce Website [d83c6f8a].