€1M boost for Kiltimagh centre

€1 million boost for Kiltimagh trade centre

Emer Gallagher

KILTIMAGH’S Cairn International Trade Centre received a major boost last week with the announcement of a €1 million investment.
The Western Development Commission (WDC) has allocated the sum towards the €7 million development of high end office space which will target private sector projects to decentralise to the town.
Local councillor, Eugene Lavin, has welcomed the investment for the town. “It is a major boost for the area without a shadow of a doubt. There is lot of enthusiasm for this project in the town and it will be a great facility. Kiltimagh is a great place to live in,” said Cllr Lavin.
“Decentralisation of businesses from the cities is key to the success of this project and Kiltimagh would be an ideal base for financial businesses.”
The centre, which is being promoted by IRD Kiltimagh, is currently under construction and it is expected that it will be completed late this year.
The WDC investment was made through their Investment Fund, which provides seed and venture capital or loans to enterprises in the Western Region.
Brian Mooney, Chairman of IRD Kiltimagh, also welcomed the investment. “To have 150 extra people in white collar jobs in the area will help to secure the future of Kiltimagh and the surrounding towns for generations to come. The centre represents a major injection for the area and we look forward to the employment that it will provide for future generations,” said Mr Mooney.
IRD Kiltimagh are embarking on selling the project to potential private sector projects that can decentralise in whole or in part to the high-tech office park.
The centre has its roots in the Government’s Decentralisation Programme and the success of the WDC’s LookWest.ie campaign, which promotes the west as a great place to live, work and do business.
“Through our LookWest.ie campaign we know that there are thousands of people living outside the west who want to move here for good career opportunities and a better quality of life. We also know from our work with businesses in the west that locating here can mean higher profits than if they were located on the east coast where costs are higher. All in all, there are several obvious benefits for businesses who decide to locate at the state-of-the-art centre,” said Gillian Buckley, WDC Chief Executive.