North Kildare Chamber today called for a minimum of a 10% rate reduction in Commercial rates for ALL Businesses in Kildare. Rates are a consistent burden for Business and the cost of commercial rates needs to BE CUT in the forthcoming council budgets for 2013. Our members already face increased COSTS in water rates and refuse CHARGES and we SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY THE RATES AT THEIR EXISTING LEVELS.
Businesses are cutting costs ACROSS THE BOARD to survive, several by over 40% but areas which are outside their control, such as commercial rates, CONTINUE TO CRUCIFY BUSINESSES IN EVERY SECTOR, AND STUNT GROWTH AND JOB CREATION. Kildare County Council must now cut their own budgets to meet their means for 2013 and deliver on a rate reduction of a minimum of 10% for business. This will help BOLSTER businesses for 2013 and will help AID competiveness for inward investment into the county in the forthcoming year.
Areas where cost cutting is out of the owner's control, such as commercial rates, water and fuel charges, waste costs, are all detrimental to the survival of a business, and to to remain competitive and to compete with increased online trade, OUR RATES SIMPLY NEED TO BE LOWERED.
Eilis Quinlan, Chamber president said this morning,” The Chamber is in constant contact with its members and businesses throughout the county. We have seen really encouraging developments with NEW AND EXISTING ENTERPRISES this year, but constantly we hear one main PROBLEM from business owners – Rates! Kildare County Council URGENTLY needs to find a 10% reduction in their budget for 2013 and pass it directly on to business. This will lead to maintaining businesses AND ULTIMATELY JOBS in the forthcoming year. A minimum of a 10% rate reduction will be a very attractive offer when businesses look at Kildare as a potential place to set up”, Quinlan concluded.