A delegation from the county of Williamson, Tennessee, in the US, which is twinned with Laois, has made contact with Laois IFA with a view to arranging a student farmer exchange programme.
The delegation also met with representatives of Laois Chamber Alliance and Laois tourism officer, Regina Dunne, in a bid to communicate further to strengthen the ties between the two counties.
The visit took in Mountmellick Development Association (MDA) where the US delegation members were met by Paddy Buggy, and given a tour of the premises and a history of Mountmellick, with the highlight being the Mountmellick Lace Museum.
Emo Court; the Rock of Dunamaise; Timahoe Round Tower and Heywood Gardens were also on the agenda.
The highlight of the week was a visit to the National Ploughing Championships on Tuesday, followed by a visit to the School of Music and the new library in Portlaoise.
The aims of the twinning agreement which was signed in March 2008, are to explore opportunities to promote trade, commerce and tourism; to build on the educational links already developed; to foster awareness of the arts, culture and heritage and to facilitate mutual understanding between the two counties.
Representatives from Williamson were welcomed at a reception of official welcome in County Hall, Portlaoise, recently.
It was attended by the chief executive, John Mulholland, and members of Laois County Council as well as members of Laois Chamber Alliance and Laois Tourism.
The visitors were: Kim Canon, president of Sister Cities along with board members: Doug Sharpe, Jennifer Sharp, Emma Sharp, Rich Cannon, Robbie Grayson, Sharylnn Grayson, Robert Kriebel and Summer Turvey.
Laois County Council chairperson, Paschal McEvoy, said the county twinning’s objectives were commendable and ones which the Council strived to fulfil on behalf of its citizens.
“Laois is a fast growing and vibrant county. It is very strategically located within the country, with excellent transport links to our major cities, ports and airports via the motorways, road and rail network.
“It is an excellent place in which to do business, and Laois County Council, together with our partners, strives to continue to explore opportunities to develop both old and new and existing businesses,” he said.
“It is also a very attractive place to live and to visit, and Laois plays host to a range of international and national events such as the Electric Picnic and the National Ploughing Championships.
“We also have a strong and growing tourism sector and Laois has a wide and varied range of amenities for everyone.”
Last March, a delegation from Laois visited the city of Franklin in Tennessee.
At a reunification ceremony hosted by Mayor Ken Moore from the city of Franklin and Mayor Rogers Anderson, Williamson county, the then Council chairperson, Thomasina O’Connell, recounted that the Sister Cities (county twinning) agreement provided that both counties communicate with one another on a frequent basis and work together to explore new and creative opportunities to promote trade, commerce and tourism.
The objective is that both counties design and implement cultural and educational exchanges and seek to benefit from the great work and best practice ongoing in both counties, she said.
The ceremony was followed by a tour of the administrative offices of the city of Franklin where, it was agreed that ongoing communication between the administrative authorities in areas such as forward planning, economic development, tourism, local communications and fire and emergency services will prove mutually beneficial.
The delegation was then provided with a bus tour around the city of Franklin, followed by a site visit to a $17 million animal shelter, said to be the best of its kind in North America.
The delegation also visited Franklin High School, O’More College of Design and #6 Fire Station.
Of note on these visits was a review of the Music Generation related activities that were undertaken by a group of Laois students visiting Franklin in April; a detailed site visit to Station 6 where the city of Franklin fire service is an ISO Grade 1 service and among the best performing fire services in North America; and a tour of the O’More College of Design, based in Abbey Leix House, city of Franklin.
The delegation met with Williamson Inc – Chamber of Commerce – where detailed discussions took place to address the opportunities and challenges in two fast growing communities in counties Williamson and Laois.
In emphasising the positive sense of community, Williamson Inc. referred to low local tax rates; excellent education facilities; mixed home options; central location; key local attractions and a diverse local economy.
It was agreed that representatives from both counties would convene to advise best practice for inward investment, supporting arts and cultural exchanges and promoting tourism between the two counties.
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