Ballymena Chamber celebrates Local Heroes
- Oct 5, 2020
- 3 min read
‘Celebrating Our Local Heroes’ is a brochure which has been produced by Ballymena Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry to highlight the remarkable efforts of individuals, businesses and community organisations during the height of the pandemic.
Chamber President Councillor Eugene Reid said: The Chamber has been overawed by the commitment of so many people and businesses to continue to provide services which were essential to the community during some of the most challenging times we have faced in recent years.
"We thought it was important to recognise these efforts in at least a small way and that was the drive behind producing our brochure.
"We then approached Chamber businesses together with Mid and East Antrim Council, who were all delighted to come on board and make this a publication which truly reflected and acknowledged the work of so many ordinary people and local businesses." Mid and East Antrim Council were one of the first partners to come on board with the project.
The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Peter Johnston said: “Local people are the backbone of our borough.
“It is these individuals, the businesses they own, the people they employ and the communities they support that make the difference to so many daily.
“During these often difficult times, they have continued to rise to the many challenges they have faced and go above and beyond to ensure their services and support are there for those who need them most.
“As a Council, we thank every one of them for their commitment to all things local. It is their drive and determination that continues to steer us through these challenging times and make life so much better for us all.”
600 copies of the brochure will be delivered to every business in the Ballymena Town Centre and businesses within the outlying villages.
Tom Wiggins, the Chamber’s Business Development Manager said:
"We are delighted that Council and so many of our members joined us in the preparation of this celebratory brochure. "As well as hard copies of the brochure being delivered to local businesses, the Braid and local libraries, people can also access the brochure by visiting our social media channels, Facebook and LinkedIn or by visiting the Chamber’s website:
"The Chamber felt it was incumbent upon us to acknowledge the efforts of key workers across the area who did so much to support our communities during this terrible time."
Chamber President Eugene Reid acknowledged that while the months ahead will be difficult, he also expressed a degree of optimism.
"While there can be no doubt that we face further challenges in the coming months, I believe that people in the Ballymena Area and Ballymena businesses have always shown resilience no matter what obstacles have been put in their way,” he said.
"We have a talented and diverse workforce with entrepreneurs who are hard-working, innovative and always willing to face challenges head-on.
"I believe that by working together with our partners in Council, the Business Centre and BID and by supporting our local businesses we will ensure the Ballymena Area is a safe place to live, socialise and do business."
He continued: "I hope that our brochure reflects the hard work of so many and I would encourage as many of your readers as possible to access the brochure and join with Chamber in thanking all our key workers for their remarkable efforts which were vital to our community and which will be of key importance in the months ahead."
The Chamber of Commerce would like to thank their partners in the project – Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Ballymena Business Centre, PowerNI, Bank of Ireland, Coulter Weir Wealth Management, RJ Cherry and Son, The Gallaher Trust, Galgorm Spa and Golf Resort, The Michelin Development Fund, Riada Resourcing, The Northern Regional College and Firmus Energy.
