€3.6m Innovation Works 3 building opens in Thurles

3 Jun 2010

Enterprise Minister Batt O’Keefe TD has opened a new €3.6m building in Shannon Development’s Tipperary Technology Park in Thurles, bringing total investment in the park to €7.4m.

Innovation Works 3 comprises a 21,500 sq/ft two-storey office building and associated site works including an increase to the existing car parking area.

The total industrial space in the Park is now over 45,000sq/ft.

Minister O’Keeffe said: “This new facility sends a clear signal to entrepreneurs and potential investors that Ireland is open for business and it reaffirms the Government’s commitment to the economic development of Thurles and North Tipperary.

“As an economy, we are turning the corner and this project adds momentum to our recovery,” Minister O’Keefe said.

O’Keefe also announced a number of local job creation initiatives in Clonmel aimed at driving enterprise in South Tipperary.

Minister O’Keeffe announced a marketing campaign for the Tipperary Science and Technology Park in Ballingarrane and a website portal showcasing South Tipperary for visitors and industrialists during a visit to Clonmel.

He described the initiatives as “important local endeavours to stimulate regional growth and add momentum to Ireland’s economic recovery.”

The South Tipperary Interagency Innovation and Enterprise Strategy will be the marketing framework to help tackle the area’s economic challenges.

Meanwhile, a marketing strategy for the 300-acre Tipperary Science and Technology Park is aimed at drawing foreign direct investments and indigenous firms in key growth areas such as life science, information communications technology and financial services.

The IDA Ireland chief executive, Barry O’Leary, said: “IDA’s 50 acres form an integral part of the new Tipperary Science and Technology Park and today’s initiatives will help us to promote the location to potential overseas investors.”

By John Kennedy

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com