M1 CORRIDOR PROJECT SET TO DRIVE BUSINESS
Plan to promote region unveiled
DUNDALK’S future at the heart of the new ‘ M1 Corridor Project’ was unveiled at an official launch yesterday (Monday)
The M1 Corridor Project is a business-led initiative driven by local business groups, led by Dundalk Chamber, Drogheda & District Chamber, and The Mill Enterprise Hub and Oriel Hub Enterprise Centre.
Officially launched by Minister Eoghan Murphy in Castlebellingham, the project is expected to drive international investment into the region by highlighting the enormous advantages it has as a superb location for investment.
Speaking at the launch, Paddy Malone of Dundalk Chamber said: ‘Our critical objective is to highlight the huge advantages of the region in comparison to Dublin or Belfast as a location for investment.’
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UNDALK has gone from being a forgotten part of the government’s Project 2040 plans, to a key player in one of the country’s busiest regions, Minister Eoghan Murphy heard at a conference in Castlebellingham yesterday ( Monday)
Minister Murphy officially launched the ‘ M1 Corridor Project’, a major new investment initiative which will see the Newry-Dundalk-Drogheda region challenge Dublin and Belfast for international investment.
The project aims to drive international investment into the region by highlighting the enormous advantages it has over Dublin or Belfast as a location for investment.
The launch was attended by local and multinational business leaders based in the region, who heard of the significance of the area being included in the Project Ireland 2040.
The M1 Corridor Project is a business-led initiative driven by local business groups, and spear headed by Dundalk Chamber, Drogheda & District Chamber, and The Mill Enterprise Hub and Oriel Hub Enterprise Centre.
Those attending the launch yesterday (Monday) heard that the project will ‘aim to drive international investment into the region by highlighting the enormous advantages it has as a superb location for investment.’
Central among these advantages is the connectivity of the region as the transport and broadband backbone of the island.
Speaking at the launch Paddy Malone, spokesman for Dundalk Chamber said; ‘ The M1 Corridor Project has been carefully developed by local business groups on both sides of the border for over ten years and will bring new investment and jobs into the Drogheda-Dundalk-Newry region.’
He added: ‘Our critical objective is to highlight the huge advantages of the region in comparison to Dublin or Belfast as a location for investment.’
The event heard that north east region has been comparably neglected and has relied on indigenous business for development.
‘For countless years, there has been far too much emphasis placed on Dublin and this has backfired in terms of spiralling housing, commercial property and wage costs for firms moving to Ireland,’ said Paddy.
‘In contrast the M1 corridor is close to Dublin but is highly cost competitive.;
‘ The M1 Corridor is of critical strategic importance to the all-island economy in the decades ahead.’’
Speaking at the launch. President of Drogheda & District Chamber Shona McManus said;
‘ The M1 Corridor Project is a truly ground-up initiative that has been developed and supported by local stakeholders across the region. It has enormous potential and offers unrivalled advantages to FDI, 2nd site and Start Up companies, including a growing and educated population, easy access to three airports and four deep water ports and faster broadband speeds than the IFSC.’
She added that since taking over his current ministerial brief, Minister Murphy has been hugely supportive of the project so far and we are very pleased that he is launching the project.’’
The project addresses the key future plan- ning, development and policy priorities for the Eastern and Midlands Region as set out in the Government’s Ireland 2040 development plan. The regional role of Drogheda-Dundalk-Newry cross-border networks are identified and supported in the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy.