Local projects receive millions in funding
Almost €2million has been allocated for a major regional enterprise project in Sligo town under the Enterprise Ireland Business Enterprise Development Fund 2020.
Sligo Leitrim Development DAC wishes to set up a Digital Futures Manufacturing Centre, (DFMC) based in Sligo, serving the northwest and border regions.
With the emergence of advanced ICT technologies this is creating a radical transformation across the manufacturing sector.
Digital Futures Manufacturing Centre (DFMC) will promote knowledge and implementation of cutting-edge innovation to stimulate intercompany and industry collaboration and third level institutions across the northwest region.
The proposed centre will have a primary focus on supporting industry with developing capability in automation of manufacturing supply chain technology and creating an environment to allow companies focus on developing and implementing strategies.
The proposed centre will take a national lead in developing innovative approaches to the automation of manufacturing supply chains, which will become an integral part of the advanced manufacturing network of centres such as Confirm, IMR and I-Form
The planned location for the centre is in a building owned by Sligo County Council in the centre of Sligo town. The building, approximately 1200 sq. meters, is currently unoccupied and ready to be occupied following appropriate adaptation for use as a technological research facility.
Sligo County Council have agreed to lease the building to the company for a minimum of 15 years, subject to funding by Enterprise Ireland.
Fine Gael TD Frank Feighan said:
“All of the research shows that the Border region is most exposed to the impact of Brexit, and obviously the situation is even more difficult now with the COVID-19 challenge.
“That’s why Minister Humphreys wanted to ensure that businesses in this region are supported by Government in responding to the challenges and uncertainties that lie ahead.
“This is the first time that the Department for BEI has provided targeted, ringfenced funding to a specific region, which represents a strong statement of Fine Gael’s commitment to the Border area.
“Through this Fund, the Minister wanted to make businesses in the border region more resilient, more innovative and more competitive so that we can stimulate enhanced economic activity in the region.”
Meanwhile, €2.95million has been allocated to the Manorhamilton Innovation & Development CLG to develop a new Innovation and R&D Centre for the quarry and construction industry that will be focussing on robotics and cobotics, artificial intelligence and smart data, virtual reality, augmented reality, 3D industry printing, software development to develop new prototypes or products and upskill staff, within both industries.
It will develop a new centre at the W8 building in Manorhamilton.
The project area consists of the refurbishment and fit-out of two buildings on the W8 Complex.
The W8 Complex is a regeneration project in North Leitrim.
This was an abandoned building on a derelict site 10 years ago.
It was purchased in 2014 and the W8 project was started in March 2018.
The quarry and construction industries are the fastest growing industries in value-added products within Ireland and globally.
This project will focus on educating companies in the area of Robotic manufacturing which will help companies to cut costs, improve efficiencies, and increase profitability.
This project proposes to develop six different consortiums and tailor solutions and programmes to each sector - Quarry Companies
- Quarry supply chain companies - Quarry machinery companies - Construction Companies - Construction supply chain companies
- Construction machinery companies
Deputy Feighan added: “These two projects have the opportunity to become game changers for the region in terms of developing new opportunities for employment and growth in Sligo and North Leitrim.
“want to wish them all the best as they begin to get off the ground in the coming months”.