They say, ‘Think Globally; Act Locally’ – but the reverse is also true. Wexford Enterprise Association, first established in 1986, is complimenting its local initiatives with its continued work to act Globally for the betterment of our Local community and economy.

Georgia Southern University

Recently the first group of students and faculty from Georgia Southern University arrived in Wexford. Led by Howard Keeley, Ph.D., director of the University’s Center for Irish Research and Teaching, Students, Lecturers, Senior officials and Alumni of Georgia Southern University, along with the partnering Wexford organisations and local authority, gathered to officially launch their new Wexford Campus. Georgia Southern University is the first public university in the United States to open an outreach learning facility in Ireland. WEA are actively involved with this group as collectively we look for opportunities to collaborate in conjunction with the TradeBridge programme and possible intern opportunities. 

In keeping with this, Chair of WEA, Eleanor White and CEO, Brendan Ennis recently brought Dr Christopher Curtis, Vice-Provost for Research at Georgia Southern University (GSU) and Dr Dustin Anderson, Associate-Provost for Student Studies and Global Engagement at GSU to meet CEO Glen Carr and Ben Radford, Commercial Director of Rosslare Europort for a presentation on the developments and expansion at the Port. Port logistics are a central part of the teaching and research programme at Georgia Southern University as the Port of Savannah is the third busiest and fastest growing port in the US.   

The Wexford-Savannah Axis developed in the mid-19^th Century as Irish emigrants settled in Savannah and shipping routes were established. The Axis continues today with a renewed focus on how the South East of Ireland and the South East of Georgia can learn, develop and grow by exchanging information and exploring opportunities in education, culture and trade.

The dedication and determination of Georgia Southern University to establish a physical base in Wexford is testament to the many opportunities that this association can bring to the cultural and economic development of both regions.

Indian Ambassador to Ireland

On first glance Wexford and India may seem vastly different.  It was only upon meeting Indian Ambassador to Ireland, Akhilesh Mishra and his wife Reeti at Wexford Enterprise Centre in April that we quickly realised how much the two countries share many of the same core values and interests.

During their visit, the Ambassador and his wife were given a tour of Wexford Enterprise Centre by two of our Voluntary Board Members, Past Chairman Philip Scallan and Vice-Chairman Colin Browne. The visit lasted over an hour and included the opportunity to share the story of Wexford Enterprise Association and to learn more about the Ambassador’s vision for India’s potential contributions and opportunities in Ireland.  The visit was very productive and informative and the Ambassador expressed his interest in furthering our relations. True to his word, just two months later, the Ambassador invited Wexford Enterprise Association to join a working group to explore and develop cultural, economic, educational and sporting opportunities together.

In May, Brendan Ennis, Chief Executive of Wexford Enterprise Association which operates Wexford Enterprise Centre, Datagroup, Recycling 2000 and TradeBridge was named Ambassador of the Year at the County Wexford Chamber Business Awards for his valuable contribution to business regionally, nationally and internationally.

“While this award recognises recent and past achievements, I will use the award over the next twelve months to continue to promote Co Wexford as a premium business and lifestyle location and highlight Co Wexford businesses both home and abroad.  Wexford Enterprise Association’s goal under the Chairmanship of Eleanor White, her Board and myself, is to open new international channels and networks for Wexford companies and companies based in the Southeast, by building on recent visits by Pat Wilson and his team from the Georgia Department of Economic Development as well as His Excellency, Akhilesh Mishra, Indian Ambassador to Ireland. In addition, we are ramping up our activities in relation to the development of the relationship between Co Wexford and the Southeast with Savannah and Southeast Georgia through our shared international Tradebridge Program.”

At the end of the day, it’s all about sustainable job growth and social advancement for Co. Wexford. ‘Think Locally; Act Globally.’