Ballymote business park is home to Brewery

BALLYMOTE Business Park is a prime example of ‘ build it and they will come’ type of Government support that can boost employment in rural areas.

Five years ago it was empty. Today it is the workplace for 55 people and counting.

It was one of the reasons why the White Hag Brewery set up there in 2013.

“The business park really helped us make a decision to set up there as we got support through Sligo Leader Partnership Programme to do so,” said Managing Director Paul Mullin.

“These supports are critical for any start- up. Once you get going the jobs start being created,” he said.

“For any business starting off a rural area, the grants are the key part to getting the business up and running,” he added.

White Hag has a big focus on exporting to Europe, Russia, China and the US.

They’ve hired people back from the UK to the West, their most recent recruit being a man from rural Galway who worked in the industry in London.

“We’re a high- potential start up and looking to hire four or five people more by the end of this year,” added Paul.