Mayo's Moy Valley Resources sounds a positive note at annual meeting
An air of gratitude and positivity set the tone for the 2022 Moy Valley Resources annual general meeting, held recently in the beautifully located Kennedy Glasgow House on the Quay, Ballina.
This was the first annual meeting led by the new chairman, David Dwane, following the resignation earlier this year of Denis Michael as chair of the company after 33 years. Denis had overseen the company and many of the incredible development projects it undertook, including the very location of the meeting.
Moy Valley Resources leased the derelict quay site in 1991 in its efforts to address dereliction and demise in the region and successfully rebuilt the Kennedy Glasgow House along with eight small business units and surrounding landscaping, now a thriving riverside hub with a wellness and recreational character.
David Dwane took the opportunity to thank Denis Michael for his enormous contribution to both the organisation and the Moy Valley region over many years. Mr. Dwane also thanked Anne Marie Forbes and David Mullarkey for their work, both having stepped down from the board during 2022.
He informed the meeting that Moy Valley Resources is working with Mayo County Council in the development of the new Ballina Innovation Quarter in the town centre and is contributing resources to Ballina 2023, the year-long celebration of the town.
Moy Valley Resources also currently supports 11 community and voluntary organisations in Foxford, Lacken, Ballycastle and Ballina through its Community Employment Scheme staff – an invaluable resource to these groups in challenging times.
CEO Annette Maughan informed the directors that the organisation’s five main programmes had been successfully delivered during the year.
In her report, Ms. Maughan referred to the impactful activities of Mayo North Tourism, Craoibhin Ballina, Mayo Volunteer Centre, the Community Employment Scheme and LEADER projects in 2022, flagship programmes which are run under the auspices of Moy Valley Resources.
The organisation impacts positively at many levels: improving economic activity through the work of the Mayo North Tourism Office; supporting the individual who learns new skills and gains confidence through the CE programme; or assisting groups with funding applications, in particular LEADER funding.
Ms. Maughan went on to outline some of the challenges which face the community development sector overall but added that significant efforts were made throughout the year to address these issues. She thanked the management team and staff for their meaningful commitment and contributions to the organisation in 2022.
“The company continues to advance its aims as a social enterprise – creating jobs, supporting other agencies and actively seeking opportunities to attract funding and resources to the region,” said the CEO.
Moy Valley Resources’ primary function is to support the social and economic development of north Mayo and west Sligo, with its head office located in Ballina. Moy Valley Resources also provides enterprise and industrial space for emerging and established businesses from its Ballina properties at the Quay, Cathedral Road, Bunree Industrial Estate and the Greenhills Enterprise Centre.