Thurston County Small Business Help During COVID-19 From Thurston EDC
Facebook175Tweet0Pin0The Thurston Economic Development Council (EDC) is committed to bringing forth the most beneficial resources, partnerships, and skills to help support the region’s businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.For the first time in nearly 20 years Saint Martin’s University has unveiled a new logo. Photo credit: Saint Martin’s UniversityFrom the first day that COVID-19 began affecting Thurston County’s small businesses, the EDC started brainstorming on how best to assist business owners during this incredibly trying time. One of the main avenues that proved to be the most effective way to push out resources was by creating a robust COVID-19 Resource Page. This page is continually updated so that readers can stay informed on how the pandemic is progressing and obtain concise and easy to follow guidelines on how to request assistance.The key component that the EDC is asking every small business to fill out is the Economic Injury Form. The form presents various questions including a brief explanation of what adverse economic effects the disaster had on your business, estimated dollar loss, and the number of employees prior to the disaster. Once completed, the form should be emailed to office@thurstonedc.com. “We are requesting that businesses fill out this form on a monthly basis so that we can track the impact that COVID-19 is having,” states Kaylee Purcell, director of the center for business and innovation. These forms are of the utmost importance as they’re directly used when EDC employees head out to request funding from local state and government agencies. “If we can paint a picture of the local impact that this pandemic is having,” continues Purcell, “then it’s that much easier to request the funding that our local businesses so need. We hope that business owners can make filling out the forms a monthly habit for as long as we’re feeling the impacts of this pandemic.”Another important feature on the EDC’s website is the latest information from on the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Founded in 1952, the SBA is the only cabinet-level federal agency fully dedicated to small business and provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise as the nation’s main go-to resource and voice for small businesses. Various resources from the SBA include their Economic Injury Disaster Loan that’s available to those who qualify from both nonprofits and for-profit businesses. This loan has a low interest rate with a max rate of 4 percent.As Executive Director, Michael Cade is responsible for the overall direction and management of the organization and has worked diligently alongside his employees to quickly disperse information surrounding COVID-19. Photo courtesy: Thurston Economic Development CouncilThe SBA’s latest information surrounding COVID-19 is especially important for the Thurston County community as there are currently three SBA programs under one roof at the EDC, including the Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC). This SBA-funded program has existed for more than 40 years and is here to help by offering programs free of charge. Locally in Thurston County, there are two advisors and many more across the state that are offering one-on-one online and phone sessions as well as many group webinars. The EDC also links to helpful pages such as the SBDC’s Disaster Planning and Recovery page as well as their Business Resiliency Toolkit.Another SBA-funded program under the EDC’s roof is SCORE. For over 50 years, SCORE has served as America’s premier source of free business mentoring and education. Currently, they are offering online and phone sessions with their many mentors across the country. Other SCORE tools that can be found on the EDC’s website include: Will Business Interruption Insurance Help, Crisis Communications Planning Checklist and more.The third SBA-funded program at the EDC is the Washington Center for Women in Business (WCWB). With a mission to empower entrepreneurs to succeed in business by providing coaching, training, and technical assistance on a wide variety of topics, the WCWB is a key resource during these unprecedented times. Offering assistance in both English and Spanish, the EDC recommends signing up for their various webinars and making an appointment with a knowledgeable advisor.Other resources that can be found on the continually updated COVID-19 Resource Page are a comprehensive list of actions that businesses can take, vendor supply chains, unemployment benefits, the Employment Security Department’s shared work program and more. “We’re really trying to keep the website updated with as much real-time information as possible to help our community,” states Purcell.The Thurston Economic Development Council’s mission is to create a dynamic and sustainable economy that supports the values of the people who live and work in Thurston County. Photo courtesy: Thurston Economic Development CouncilAnother avenue that the EDC has taken to help those in need is by creating a 501(c)(3) charitable fund that is distributed to small businesses with less than five employees. “Individuals can donate to this Fund now,” says Purcell, “and we are working with different partnerships throughout the region to secure larger funds.” The SBA’s Economic Injury Form will be part of application process to be eligible to receive these funds, which is another reason that the EDC recommends filling out that form now to be ahead of the game.The EDC also would like individuals to be aware of the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound and United Way of Thurston County’s newly established Thurston County COVID-19 Response Fund. This Fund is designed to complement the work of public health officials and expand local capacity to address all aspects of the outbreak as efficiently as possible by assisting the most disproportionately impacted individuals and families, as well as certain organizations in our community who are serving those populations.Additionally, the EDC has implemented a weekly call with their resource partners to discuss updates on what resources are currently available, new closures, and other important updates. These calls take place each Friday, please contact the EDC if you would like to learn more about these calls.To stay up-to-date on all aspects surrounding the rapidly changing COVID-19, follow the EDC on Facebook and Twitter as well as the WCWB Facebook. Feel free to contact the EDC at 360-754-6320 or office@thurstonedc.com with any questions.
Piracy attackJust days after a Corentyne, Berbice businessman was charged for allegedly killing a fisherman during the course of a robbery which occurred at sea, a teenager on Wednesday stood before acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus slapped with the same charge.Alexander DenhartNineteen-year-old Alexander “Shameface” Denhart, of Lot 79 Village, Berbice, had the indictable charge read to him which stated that he murdered Tilacknauth Mohabir, called “Caiman”, some time between April 27, 2018 and May 3, 2018 at Corentyne, Berbice.The teen was remanded to prison and was scheduled to make his next court appearance on June 13, 2018 at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court.Denhart’s accomplice and alleged mastermind of the attack, Nakool Manohar, was last Wednesday also charged for murder.He was also remanded for two previous charges of robbery on the high seas committed in 2015 and 2016 respectively.The accused is expected to be back in court shortly to have read to him another murder charge, that of Mahesh Sarjoo, called “Cooba”.Mohabir’s and Sarjoo’s bodies were the only two that were positively identified by relatives in Suriname after the attack by pirates on four fishing boats at a place called Wia Wia Bank in the Atlantic Ocean.Reports coming out of Suriname indicated that 20 fishermen were the victims of that attack and 11 were still missing and feared dead.Meanwhile, one of the two other bodies found was still to be identified, law enforcement was currently awaiting DNA results.The other body was that of Gowkaran Outar, and was found on the Number 63 Beach. He was identified by a tattoo on his upper body.
A lot has been said about this matchup. Some experts say they believe it has fight of the year potential. Gary Shaw, who promotes Marquez, said this is the type of fight in which there will be no loser because it pits the best 118-pounder in the world against the best 122-pounder. One thing’s for sure: it will be the 77th world championship fight between two Mexican nationals. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. The first fight is scheduled for 4 p.m. 160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! Rafael Marquez has doled out a lot of pain over his terrific career, having knocked out 32 opponents while compiling a record of 36-3. He is 8-0 in world title fights. But that damage has been done in the bantamweight division. Marquez will move up in weight tonight to challenge Israel Vazquez for his World Boxing Council super bantamweight belt at Home Depot Center in Carson. When the opening bell rings, an all-out assault by the Mexican fighters is expected. “I am strong and I am a great fighter. So why should I feel that way?” Marquez won the International Boxing Federation bantamweight championship with an eighth-round technical knockout of Tim Austin in February 2003. He made seven successful defenses, five by knockout. Now, he not only is moving up to super bantamweight, he is taking on the best fighter in the world in that division. Thus all the questions about how he will fare at the higher weight. It seems to have been a theme at news conferences and conference calls promoting the fight. “It was my decision to move to 122, so I will be well-prepared,” Marquez said. He had better be, because Vazquez is coming to rumble. “He is going to have to deal with fighting me,” said Vazquez, who is 41-3 with 30 knockouts. “I am a natural 122-pounder. He has never had to do that before. So I think that will be the biggest obstacle or problem facing him.” 
So it won’t take long to ascertain whether Marquez brought his tremendous punching power up a weight class. “The four-pound difference does not do anything to me,” said Marquez, 31, of Mexico City. “I feel stronger, actually. I wanted to move up a long time ago. I do not feel any disadvantages moving up to 122. 
0Shares0000The future of Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane looks increasingly uncertain after their shock Copa del Rey exit to Leganes this week, added to what has been a miserable defence of the La Liga title.LONDON, United Kingdom, Jan 26 – Mauricio Pochettino is keeping his cards close to his chest over whether he would be interested in taking charge of Real Madrid.The future of Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane looks increasingly uncertain after their shock Copa del Rey exit to Leganes this week, added to what has been a miserable defence of the La Liga title. Former Espanyol player and manager Pochettino has been strongly linked with the position, if Real do dispense with Zidane’s services.And while Pochettino ruled out taking charge of Barcelona when asked about the rumours, he was less clear about the possible vacancy at the Bernabeu.Pochettino said: “I am never going to be manager of Barcelona or Arsenal because I am so identified with Tottenham and Espanyol. I grew up in Newell’s Old Boys and will never manage Rosario Central.“That is my decision because I prefer to work on my farm in Argentina than in some places. But my commitment is massive in this club. I am working like I am going to be here forever.“But in the end, it is like the players, you never know what is going to happen in football. It is a lot of rumours about this, about that.“Tomorrow [Tottenham chairman] Daniel Levy could have a bad night and say, ‘Oh I am going to sack Mauricio’. And then I look stupid saying I am not going to work in one place or another or another.“You never know in football. That is the problem. It is a very unstable situation.”0Shares0000(Visited 2 times, 1 visits today)
1 Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has urged his players to only think about the 90 minutes of their clash with West Brom, rather than occupying their minds with the upcoming Europa League final preparations.The Reds appear in their first European final for nine years when they face Sevilla in Basle on Wednesday but before then they have to complete their domestic programme at the Hawthorns.However, the German manager has stressed he does not want to see anyone coasting or trying to protect themselves for next week as they look to end the Premier League season in style.“In these 90 minutes it makes no sense to think about anything else and that is what we have to learn,” he said.“If you want to be 100 per cent successful you have to be 100 per cent in the situation you are in at this moment.“It is not about having 50 per cent or 30 per cent concentration for another thing, that is not how professional football works.“If we can’t do it in this moment then we have to learn to do it in the future but if we can’t do it on Sunday then there is no chance to get anything at West Brom.“It’s very important because we can still move up two positions in the table. It’s not in our hands but the only way to climb the table is to win the game at West Brom.“In this moment Sunday afternoon is the most important game in the world.”Klopp is likely to rest a number of his first-choice players for the trip to the midlands, as he prepares his squad in the search for his silverware since taking charge at Anfield.The manager accepts he will upset some players if they are not selected in the final, but he believes his players understand this frustration comes with the territory.“When they started playing football they knew there was a number where the line-up ends, whether it’s 11 or 18,” he added.“I don’t want to disappoint anyone but I have to make decisions.“I can do a lot of things in my job but I cannot do what everyone wants. It’s all about LFC and finding the best line-up for the best performance.“We all came to the final together so if you can’t feel an important part of getting to the final, I can’t change that.“Hopefully I have to make a few difficult decisions because that will mean I have a lot of players involved in training and available.”Klopp could have even more decisions to make as there is an outside chance captain Jordan Henderson (knee) and striker Divock Origi (ankle) could be available after being out injured for a month.There is also a chance striker Danny Ings, who has been sidelined since October after cruciate knee ligament surgery, could make the squad for West Brom as he is ineligible in Europe.“There are three players who might come back. We have to see. I haven’t made final decisions,” said the German, who after Wednesday’s match also hinted he could include youngster Sergi Canos against the Baggies after returning from a successful loan spell with Brentford.“We will see about Danny Ings and if he’s ready for West Brom.“With Divock and Hendo, they are both in a good way. Hendo has done a bit more. We will see what happens over the coming days.“In the end it’s not my decision, I have to take what I get. They are pretty close.“If the final was one week later now we’d be talking, but it will be close. We have to wait.” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp 
Cllr Ciaran McLaughlin gathers the signaturesBuncrana Town Cllr Ciaran McLaughlin said he is delighted that the CEO of Donegal VEC has taken a personal interest in the Aghilly Road saga in Buncrana.Mr Shaun Purcell has agreed to revisit the Aghilly site again on the basis of road upgrading being co funded by the local councils and Department of Education and Skills.Cllr Ciaran McLaughlin just this week delivered a petition to Buncrana Town Council in which he canvassed five housing estates on the Aghilly Road. Sinn Fein Cllr McLaughlin said “I welcome my colleagues deputy Padraig MacLochlainn and Cllr Jack Murray who raised these issues of the school campus.He added it now gives new hope for Aghilly Road upgrade,the possibility of co funding from both councils and the Department of Education is long overdue.Cllr McLaughlin concluded “This road would not be acceptable in Dublin and it won’t be acceptable in Buncrana either ”Hundreds of residents have spoken and signed the petition and they want a road delivered as it is now 13 years and counting “I have great faith in Shaun Purcell and I believe he is the man to deliver these projects for Buncrana.” NEW HOPE FOR BUNCRANA’S AGHILLY ROAD UPGRADE SAGA was last modified: April 30th, 2013 by StephenShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window) Tags:Aghilly RoadbuncranaCllr Ciaran McLaughlin
AD Quality Auto 360p 720p 1080p Top articles1/5READ MOREWalnut’s Malik Khouzam voted Southern California Boys Athlete of the Week “We share the interest in expediting these investigations, while at the same time we’re hoping that trying to expedite does not equal incompleteness,” said Hank Hernandez, general counsel for the Los Angeles Police Protective League, which represents the department’s rank-and-file officers. Expediting the probes is complicated by the ever-present politics of community-police relations and peace officers’ rights, as well as the strict controls of the federal consent decree governing LAPD operations. Furthermore, Los Angeles’ tradition of civilian oversight of the police creates conflicting goals when it comes to speed. The Police Commission gets use-of-force reports at the end of a process that starts with the LAPD’s Force Investigation Division and winds its way through a department review board and the chief of police. It takes time for LAPD investigators to conduct a thorough review, especially in light of the many requirements of the consent decree, and that can leave the Police Commission with very little time to make its final decisions. Tired of racing against the calendar to make disciplinary decisions in use-of-force cases, the new Los Angeles Police Commission has made speeding up such investigations its first major initiative. The commission is still waiting to consider 28 incidents in which Los Angeles Police Department officers used force in 2004, including eight incidents from last October, according to records obtained by the Daily News. Because state law gives agencies one year to discipline officers, the commission has been holding special meetings in order to get the cases heard. The plan has drawn wide support, with LAPD Chief William Bratton signing on and community groups and the police union backing the concept. As the plan moves ahead into action, though, officials are grappling with the question of how to balance substance and speed. “The commission is concerned they’re getting cases too close to the statute of limitations,” said Andre Birotte, the commission’s inspector general. “They’re reviewing this stuff with a fine-tooth comb, so they want to have the time to ask questions and, where necessary, get follow-up.” Police Commission Executive Director Richard Tefank acknowledges there are what he calls “conflicting issues” in time frames of the LAPD and the commission, but he thinks there is a way to find a balance. Tefank, Birotte and Gerald Chaleff, who heads the LAPD’s Consent Decree Bureau, have been meeting with police investigators and examining the process, and they hope to make recommendations to the Police Commission by Nov. 8. “We’re not going in with an assumption of why the time frame takes so long,” Tefank said. “We’re looking at the investigative process, the timeline for that process and, to expedite that process, what would be necessary: policy changes, investigative changes and obviously resources that might be needed.” Los Angeles police officers are involved in serious use-of-force incidents about once every three days. Last year the LAPD restructured how it investigates such incidents after the federal monitor overseeing the consent decree found fault with the process. The LAPD created the Force Investigation Division, which probes potential criminal culpability of the suspects and the officers involved, as well as policy and disciplinary issues. Lt. Kevin McClure of the Force Investigation Division said he welcomes the effort to speed up the probes as part of his relatively new unit’s development. “It’s all in the spirit of getting better, and we do need to get better,” he said. “Are there glitches? Yes. Are there things to be ironed out? Yes. But I’m there every day, and I see progress every day.” The division is overseen by the Professional Standards Bureau, in which Deputy Chief Michael Berkow said efforts to expedite investigations fit in with his aim of “continuous improvement,” but must be balanced. “Our focus is on delivering a thorough, complete, accurate product in a timely fashion,” Berkow said. “For us, accuracy wins over speed.” When the Force Investigation Division was created, it inherited a backlog of 66 cases that exceeded a consent decree timeline for the LAPD to hand over cases to the Police Commission. The division has whittled the number down to about 40 while using new technology to examine incidents and present findings. It also has brought in outside speakers to train officers and has studied issues pertinent to cases, such as officer fatigue. Still, the division faces some daunting challenges. The past year has brought complicated, politically charged cases like the shootings of teenager Devin Brown and infant Susie Pea, as well as other incidents that never generated headlines. The LAPD has also asked the division to look at high-profile cases that fall outside its normal serious-force model, such as the arrest of Nation of Islam Minister Tony Muhammad. In each case, investigators work with representatives of the District Attorney’s Office, the Police Commission and the police union while adhering to the rules of the consent decree. Interviews with witnesses, sometimes numbering in the dozens, must be recorded, transcribed and double-checked, and discrepancies must be specially logged. “We refer to reports based on size,” McClure said. “Is that a 4-inch report or an 8-inch report, or are we into the boxes?” It is always difficult for officers involved in use-of-force incidents, and they dislike having the cases drag on, said Hernandez, the union’s general counsel. The league hopes the Police Commission’s efforts to speed up the probes can also give officers more of a voice in the process, Hernandez said. Ultimately, though, he thinks the current situation could be temporary. “I don’t think it will outlast the consent decree,” he said. “I think once the department gets out of it, there will be less concern about being second-guessed.” Berkow, though, says the Force Investigation Division is trying to adopt state-of-the art police practices, and he expects reforms to outlive the consent decree. He points to a recent report by the nonprofit Police Executive Research Forum that hailed the LAPD’s unified team approach – described as innovative – in investigating force incidents. “It’s a unique national model,” Berkow said. “We’re continually looking at best practices wherever they might be.” Dan Laidman, (213) 978-0390 dan.laidman@dailynews.com URGENT CASES The Los Angeles Police Commission is up against a one-year statute of limitations in dealing with the following cases: Oct. 16, 2004 – Law enforcement-related injury. Oct. 20, 2004 – Officer-involved shooting. Oct. 22, 2004 – Law enforcement activity-related death. Oct. 24, 2004 – Law enforcement-related injury. Oct. 28, 2004 – Law enforcement-related injury, head strike. Oct. 29, 2004 – Law enforcement-related injury, head strike. Oct. 30, 2004 – In-custody death. Oct. 31, 2004 – Officer-involved shooting. Source: Los Angeles Police Commission 160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set!
Drake (24-16, 12-2 MVC) had the tying run on second base in the bottom of the seventh, but leadoff hitter, sophomore Kelsey Wright (Olathe, Kan.), struck out to end the game. Story Links Full Schedule Roster Preview Drake finished the game with five hits and stranded six base runners. The Bulldogs had runners on first and second base with one out in both the second and the fifth innings, but stranded them. Photo Gallery Freshman Taryn Pena (Columbia, Ill.) cut the Bulldogs’ deficit in half in the bottom of the sixth inning with a solo home run. It is the third career home run for Pena. DES MOINES, Iowa – Missouri State edged the Drake University softball team, 2-1, on Sunday at Ron Buel Field in the rubber match between the two Missouri Valley Conference teams. Drake has a fast turnaround as it continues MVC action Tuesday with a doubleheader at UNI starting at 4 p.m. Print Friendly Version Missouri State (16-23, 5-8 MVC) scored its first run in the top of the fourth inning on an RBI double by Erin Duewel. Bethany Sullinger added the Bears other run in the top of the sixth inning with her own RBI double. at UNI 4/19/2016 – 6:00 PM Sophomore Kailee Smith (Murrieta, Calif.) led Drake with two hits while sophomore Tasha Alexander (Eddyville, Iowa), Pena and Wright each had one hit. Live Stats Sophomore Nicole Newman (Madison, Wis.) pitched another solid outing going seven innings and allowing two runs on six hits along with 11 strikeouts and just one walk. It is the eighth game this season Newman has struck out 10 or more batters. The tough loss drops her record to 17-8 on the season. Next Game:
The Bulldogs open their home slate at Cownie Soccer Complex on Sept. 2 against South Dakota. Print Friendly Version Redshirt senior Alex Freeman (Duluth, Minn.), who missed nearly all of the 2015 season due to a knee injury, made an instant impact in her return scoring the match’s lone goal off a corner kick from her teammate Kasey Hurt (Ankeny, Iowa) in the second half. The Bulldogs started the 2016 season with a shutout win at North Dakota State last Friday. The win over the Bison marks the first time since 2012 that Drake opened a regular season with a victory. CHICAGO – The Drake University women’s soccer team is set for a pair of road matches this weekend. Drake plays at UIC Friday at 7 p.m. before closing the weekend at Wisconsin Sunday with a 1 p.m. match. UIC played to double-overtime, scoreless draws in each of its first two games against Northern Illinois and Belmont. Wisconsin lost its season opener at Notre Dame, 1-0, and will host Milwaukee Friday night. Drake has never played UIC or Wisconsin. Drake’s defense against North Dakota State was tough as it limited the Bison to just three shots on goal. Junior Brooke Salisbury (Kearney, Mo.) was instrumental in the defensive pressure as she played all ninety minutes in the match. Salisbury was recognized by the Missouri Valley Conference Tuesday as the defensive player of the week for her outstanding performance. Senior Brooke Dennis (Wauconda, Ill.) and junior Haley Morris (Clive, Iowa) each played one half in the net for the Bulldogs and each goalie recorded one save.
The CEO of Fáilte Ireland, Shaun Quinn, today emphasised that the tourism authority’s new ‘Wild Atlantic Way’ initiative has the potential to attract significant numbers of additional visitors into Donegal during 2014. This boost to the county follows a year of improving overseas visitor numbers and business growth in the local tourism industry.Speaking during a visit to the county, Mr Quinn said Donegal saw significant growth in visitor numbers last year and much of this can be attributed to all those local communities who seized on the possibilities offered by Fáilte Ireland’s ‘The Gathering’ initiative. “This year we have another card to play and another opportunity to grow local tourism – with ‘The Wild Atlantic Way’ and I’m sure everyone with an interest in tourism will get behind this also.”Citing recent Fáilte Ireland research, Mr Quinn pointed out that visitor numbers for the North West region were up an estimated 10% last year and that almost two thirds (62%) of local firms in the region were recording significant overseas visitor growth.Much of this growth was driven by The Gathering with Donegal finishing in the top ten in terms of Gatherings across the country.Overall, there were 300 Gathering events in the North West with 195 events in county Donegal alone and the types of events included family, school, business and group reunions as well as cultural, activity and historical celebrations. Meanwhile, surveys of domestic and overseas holidaymakers, who visited the region between May and October 2013, showed that the friendliness and value to be found in the North West were stand-out features of a trip to the area.Key points of Fáilte Ireland’s Visitor Survey of the North West included:98% of visitors rated the friendliness of the North West people as good or very good;88% of visitors rated the value for money aspect of their holiday as good or very good;Almost 6 out of ten visitors surveyed said they were extremely likely to recommend the North West as a holiday destination. Many visitors cited their main reason for visiting the area was beautiful scenery (26%) and history/culture (11%) and key locations visited included Glenveagh National Park (34%) Sliabh Liag (29%) and Inishowen (18%).The most popular activities while holidaying in the North West were:Hiking Walking (42%) – much higher than national average of 20%National Park (32%) – much higher than national average of 20% Traditional music and dance (24%) – higher than national average of 18%Water-based (10%) – much higher than national average of 3%Commenting on the latter findings, Mr Quinn said “Donegal has a lot to offer visitors. The good news is that, with its emphasis on landscapes, outdoor activities and an authentic interaction with Ireland’s western sea-board counties, the Wild Atlantic Way is tailor-made for local tourism.”The Wild Atlantic Way is a new major tourism initiative for the western seaboard is a long distance driving route from Donegal to West Cork with a total length of up to 1,300km showcasing Ireland’s coastline.The new route aims to create a corridor along the Atlantic coast which will link destinations and attractions together, creating a shopping isle of experiences and opening up access and possibilities in the visitor’s mind.It is intended that the Wild Atlantic Way will rival many of the well-known long distance driving routes around the world, such as the Great Ocean Road in Australia and the Garden Route in South Africa. Most importantly, it will provide a brand and product of sufficient scale and singularity to gain that all important visibility in our overseas markets.Failte Ireland is working with Donegal County Council in developing the Wild Atlantic Way locally. The route takes in the entire coastline of County Donegal and will be a magnificent selling point for the county. Local signature points along the way include Sliabh Liag, Fanad Lighthouse and Malin Head.Over the last few weeks the Councils Roads Division have been erecting signage along the Donegal branch of the route which stretches from Inishowen right through to Bundoran.The first signage has already appeared on the Inishowen roads and all signage will be erected in time for the start of the tourism season in March.In the meantime, Fáilte Ireland will be holding a number of community meetings along the Wild Atlantic Way (including Dunfanaghy, Ballyliffin and Killybegs in Donegal) to engage with local communities and more details of these will be available in the coming weeks.Mr Quinn added “We will be inviting everyone from the local communities to come along and hear about the Wild Atlantic Way and learn just how to take advantage of this opportunity. In 2013 The Gathering significantly boosted local tourism.“This year we will be heavily marketing the Wild Atlantic Way at home and abroad and this initiative offers us another vehicle to develop additional tourism visitors, revenue and jobs for the county.”WILD ATLANTIC WAY WILL ADD SIGNIFICANT TOURISM NUMBERS TO DONEGAL – FAILTE IRELAND was last modified: January 20th, 2014 by StephenShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Tags:Failte IrelandShaun QuinnWild Atlantic Way