ATHY, 15 August 2002: by Bill Trapman. Athy Development Investment and Employment Forum has been approved a capital grant of 300,000 euros towards the construction costs of a Community Enterprise Centre in Athy and a further 38,000 euros grant towards the cost of employing a manager for the Centre.
The project is one of 50 community based projects which will receive state financial support totalling 5.2m euros.
The new funding will be used to provide infrastructure facilities to support the establishment and expansion of micro enterprises, with local community participation.
Dorian Marks, Development Executive of the Athy Forum said that currently Athy has a distinct lack of enterprise space for the SME, which has contributed to a poor history of enterprise development in the town. “It is our objective to have a resource available in Athy where potential entrepreneurs and existing micro-businesses can develop their activities from safe, clean and modern premises complete with supporting facilities,” he said."
The first phase of the athy proposal is to construct a 12,000 Sq. ft. Business Centre that will provide a high quality environment for SMEs to develop their operations. Also included in the plan is a proposal to locate within the complex a central administration facility, equipped meeting rooms, and additional office space to accommodate community based organisations and agencies working towards the further development of Athy.
Project Co-ordinator Miriam Ryan said an innovative range of sponsorship opportunities are being developed aimed at businesses that wish to become involved in this flagship project, as a proportion of the funding is required from the local community. "We have committed to raising 100,000 euros to support the Enterprise Centre and will be calling on existing businesses to support our plan," she added.
This announcement, coupled with the recent granting of planning permission to develop a business park in the town, will give the South Kildare area a welcome boost.
The Forum, in partnership with local authorities, FAS & Kildare County Enterprise Board, opened the Athy Training & Enterprise Centre in May 2002 and has embarked on a programme of equipping some of the indigenous population of Athy with modern skills of significant value to employers in the new economy.
Meanwhile the Athy Forum continues to work with and support IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland in their search for an occupant to locate in the vacant Advance Factory and provide sustainable, quality employment for the people of Athy.
