Rhode Island and Aurivo Food Hub here
THE century old Achonry dairy co- op could get a new lease of life as a food production hub.
The butter plant owner Aurivo faced a storm of condemnation in 2015 when they moved butter packaging out of Achonry and down to Mitchelstown in Cork.
The building first started production as a dairy co- op in 1897 and produced butter from local milk suppliers for 108 years.
The Council’s Local Enterprise Office ( LEO) is now actively promoting the empty plant in the hope of attracting food businesses to the area.
“It would be an asset to Sligo and the county. It would cement Sligo’s reputation for food quality,” Head of Enterprise with Sligo County Council John Reilly told members.
“Any help from councillors to see if this can be brought across the line would be appreciated,” he added.
Mr Reilly was outlining a number of innovative proposals by LEO to develop the local economy.
He discussed the Rhode Island Programme based out of The ‘ Ireland West International Trade Centre’, in Providence, Rhode Island which supports West of Ireland companies looking to break into the US market.
He said there was a strong possibility that a Rhode Island business delegation in September will include Sligo in its itinerary.
Cllr Seamus Kilgannon congratulated John Reilly for the initiatives.
Cllr Sinead Maguire asked if there were any plans for continued contact with the US and follow- up visits.
Mr Reilly said they were in the process of appointing someone to liaise between “our companies and the US on a con- tinuous basis.” “That will move it on to another level,” he said.
Chief Executive Ciarán Hayes said “the ongoing contact criticism is probably a fair criticism. We’re looking at another date in June to meet. The intention would be that we would have ongoing contact with Rhode Island.”
Another initiative being supported by LEO is the free wifi being developed for the town by Sligo BIDS.
“It will further Sligo’s image as a modern progressive city and place to visit and do business. Progress is contining on this,” said Mr Reilly.