The Kerry projects set to share in funding
FIVE Kerry projects are set to receive funding under the various streams of the Southern Region Enterprise Development Fund.
STREAM 1 (€2 million to €5 million)
GLOBAL AGRI-TECH CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE
The Global Centre of Excellence in Agri-Tech will be developed in association with IT Tralee and north Kerry-based dairy equipment manufacturing company, Dairymaster, with the support of Kerry County Council.
It is hoped the centre will position Kerry as the national leader in agri-tech training, research and development and will enhance the county’s reputation internationally as being at the forefront of the international agri-tech industry.
“Dairymaster welcomes the news on the Agritech Centre of Excellence. It is a positive development for the sector nationally that both government and industry has shown commitment to this important industry, thereby assisting its continued growth and development into the future,” said Dairymaster CEO Prof Edmond Harty.
RDI HUB
The Killorglin-based RDI Hub aims to build on the southwest region’s strengths to establish the area as a globally connected financial services, innovation and ICT skills hotspot.
The hub will be based at the former Liebig factory building in Killorglin and will nurture entrepreneurs, research and development and training in the financial technology sector.
“FEXCO welcomes this news. It re-enforces our existing commitment to sustaining and developing IT opportunities in the South West of Ireland. We are delighted to be able to do this in continuing collaboration with the other bodies who are committed to the economic growth and development of this region,” said Fexco Managing Director Denis McCarthy.
STREAM 3 AND 4 (€50,000 to €250,000)
KERRY SCI-TECH
Kerry SciTech is a not-for-profit organisation led by industry and supported by IT Tralee and Kerry County Council. Based at the Tom Crean Business Centre in Kerry Technology Park at IT Tralee’s North Campus, the primary aim of KerrySciTech is to promote Kerry as a science and technology hotspot.
‘ITT is delighted with the allocation of funding of €14.29m to the Southern Region and in particular the success of the Kerry projects, which will have both regional and national impact. We look forward to working with all of the stakeholders involved as these projects come to fruition,” said ITT President Dr Oliver Murphy.
DINGLE ‘MOL TEIC’ HUB
The Dingle Creativity and Innovation Hub is a community enterprise job creation initiative.
The hub will focus on the development of technology relating to three main areas. These are animation, film and music production, and products and services for the ‘Internet of Things’ (a global network of devices, ranging from home appliances to medical implants, that use the web to operate and share data).
It is hoped that the hub will create over 200 jobs in Dingle in the next five years.
SNEEM DIGITAL HUB
The Sneem Innovation and Technology Services Centre will target local entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises offering them business support and assistance with expansion.
The hub will also offer ‘ hot-desk’ facilities (including phone and broadband access) for up to 10 single employee start ups and micro SMEs.