Trip to US brings $50,000 boost for enterprise centre
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WORK COULD start on Drogheda's new enterprise centre by March 2012, thanks to a financial boost of $50,000 following the reccent FDI investment trip to Salinas, California.
It's already becoming the gateway to the Boyne Valley, but Drogheda is hoping to establish itself as the official 'Gateway to Silicon Valley' and this early Christmas present from the Irish Technology Leadership Group (ITLG) at the Irish Innovation Centre in San Jose is an extra vote of confidence.
The announcement was made last Friday, at an event showcasing Drogheda's strengths was held in the d Hotel, where Mayor Kevin Callan hosted members of State agencies, politicians and the business community, with a view to building on recent success.
Representatives of Enterprise Ireland, the IDA, Senator Feargal Quinn, Gerry Adams TD, Mairead Mcguinness MEP, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council Oliver Tully and Cllr Frank Maher, were joined by representatives from companies such as Coca Cola, Boyne Valley Foods and Natures Best.
'I am absolutely thrilled that the soon to be built Drogheda Enterprise Centre, is now a 'Gateway to Silicon Valley' through a unique partnership with the ITLG, which has offered a $50,000 support package to the centre,' says Chamber President Padraic Kierans.
'We will partner with them to deliver venture capital, seed funding, and develop new and existing technology start-ups which will be incubated in our Enterprise Centre.
'Entrepreneurs and students based in the centre will have access to the Irish Innovation Centre and indeed the expertise of the ITLG.'
This has been described as 'a huge win for Drogheda, for enterprise and for the collaborative effort of all those who have contributed to the 'Invest Drogheda' proposition'.
The trip will feature on the final Local Heroes programme on RTE One this Wednesday at 8:30pm.
It is hoped the new centre on the Newtown Road, which is a joint initiative between the Drogheda and District Chamber and the council, will provide 30 incubator spaces for businesses, and bring around 120 new jobs to the town.
Estimates suggest an annual return to the town of € 5m per annum.
'Drogheda is the perfect location for US businesses to locate when looking for a launch pad for entry into the European Market,' added Mr Kierans.
Chairman of the Enterprise and Employment Group of the Local Heroes initiative and chairman of Natures Best, Paddy Callaghan also gave a presentation on the Drogheda area and welcomed the new twinning relationship.
