Editing Shannon Development (section)

==Responsibility==
Shannon Development was set up as Shannon Free Airport Development Company by the [[Irish Government]] in [[1959 in Ireland|1959]] to promote the airport and region. [[Shannon Airport]] was built at a strategic point on the early transatlantic flying route, but with the age of the jet, its fortunes declined. In 1969 [[Aer Rianta]] took responsibility of the airport.

Shannon Development was responsible for a number of areas of development of the region including tourism and industry similar to [[IDA Ireland]]. The agency was responsible for [[Shannon Free Zone]] and National Technology Park on which the [[University of Limerick]] is located. [[Shannon Town]] was also created and managed by the company until it was transferred to Clare County Council in 2004. This property transfer was the biggest property transaction in the history of the state.

Shannon Development also acted as a landlord for many companies in the region. Companies that qualify, paid rent to Shannon Development. In return the company can apply for [[Enterprise Ireland]] grant funding through Shannon Development. This constitutes a symbiotic relationship.

The government reviewed the role of the agency in July 2005 and its functions are being realigned. Under the new arrangements, Shannon Development will have an enhanced regional economic development role with a particular emphasis on addressing the needs of the less developed parts of the Shannon region. It will also retain responsibility for the Shannon Free Zone industrial park.  The existing enterprise support functions (carried out by Shannon Development in relation to both indigenous and overseas enterprises) will be assumed by the national agencies, [[Enterprise Ireland]] and [[IDA Ireland]].

Shannon Development became part of Shannon Group plc on 10 November 2014. To emphasise a more commercially focused property remit, Shannon Development was renamed Shannon Commercial Enterprises Ltd, trading as Shannon Enterprises.