BMW SWOT ANALYSIS
- STRENGTHS
• Indigenous entrepreneurial spirit, small business base and work ethic Good industrial relations Strategic location of County Diverse tradition of Arts, Heritage and Culture Strong literary tradition Vibrant community and voluntary sectors involved in
service provision and impacting on all aspects of life in the County Stronlocal social conscience and value systems Well developed enterprising range of agricultural businesses supported by high level of cooperative activity Largely unspoilt rural landscape Sustainable rural communities A willingness among organisations and agencies to foster co ordination and co operation. Increased culture of co-operation and partnership Growth in outreach services New County Council strategies on Waste, Water and Housing
service provision and impacting on all aspects of life in the County Stronlocal social conscience and value systems Well developed enterprising range of agricultural businesses supported by high level of cooperative activity Largely unspoilt rural landscape Sustainable rural communities A willingness among organisations and agencies to foster co ordination and co operation. Increased culture of co-operation and partnership Growth in outreach services New County Council strategies on Waste, Water and Housing
- WEAKNESSES
• No third level educational institution Underdeveloped ICT infrastructure and low uptake of IT in local industry Weak tourism base Over reliance on declining industries and sectors Loss of young people and a brain drain from the County Lack of choice in employment opportunities Low wage economy Low level of inward investment Peripherality National criteria too restrictive for local impact Lack of female participation in workforce Inadequate childcare Poor social infrastructure Poor transportation infrastructure Deficiencies in capacities of water and sewerage services Lack of serviceable development land Shortage of housing, especially social housing No alternative energy sources Weak infrastructure for arts, culture, heritage and sports Poor image of County and low priority on national stage Constraints on farm development caused by quotas, waste and succession issues Low return from farming Lack of coordination of service delivery at local level Hidden poverty Underemployment Over reliance on short term funding Real and perceived barriers to cross border activities, e.g. uncertainty, currency difference, past experiences etc Lack of social and recreational amenities Barriers to participation in full time adult education
- OPPORTUNITIES
• Cross-border economic, social and cultural development Expansion of existing businesses and agricultural sector Development of lifelong learning BMW strategy, Objective 1 status, EU initiatives Council's strategies on waste, sewerage, housing Attraction of inward investment, both private and public Unspoilt environment for agriculture, tourism Third level outreach facilities Development of ICT business Development of tourism Expansion of labour force through untapped sources Re-zoning of land for industrial and housing use National Spatial Strategy Development of and access to alternative energy Expansion of facilities and participation in arts, culture and sports Innovation to help sustain rural communities Co-ordinated local service delivery Social economy Mainstreaming community initiatives Filling the information gap through a communications strategy Development of active citizenship especially among young people Capacity to fully access natural hinterland because of the PEACE initiative. Further expansion of capacity of local communities
- THREATS
• Continued brain drain and loss of young people Continued invisibility of Monaghan at National level Failure to provide and upgrade local transportation infrastructure Failure to implement balanced regional development Securing adequate resources to implement strategies Changes in EU policy affecting agriculture Continued currency differential with Northern Ireland Failure of peace process Failure to move away from traditional industries Rising costs compared to developing markets Continued centralisation of, and reduction in public services Termination of funding for community and voluntary sectors Decline in volunteerism; community activist burn out Lack of flexibility and slow responsiveness to development opportunities Competition from other Counties Failure to access broadband technology Failure to maintain environmental, heritage and cultural Attitude to traditional values Ageing population The negative impact of alcohol, drug and substance abuse particularly among teenagers. Downgrading of the county as a centre of primary services Withdrawal of social services
