This article is from page 9 of the 2006-04-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 9 JPG
AFTER years of work behind the scenes, Ennistymon has moved one giant step closer to having its own Enterprise Centre.
A Project Ennistymon-backed proposal was granted planning permission by Clare County Council late last month.
The €1 million development had looked to be terminally stalled last December, following a disagreement between Project Ennistymon and Clare County Council over the upgrading of the access road to the site.
While this disagreement has not been completely resolved, moves have been made by both sides, which look likely to lead to a compromise. If the situation is not resolved, Project Ennistymon stands to loose more than €350,000 in grants obtained from Shannon Development and the County Enterprise Board.
“The planning is a major step, but we are still working against the clock,” said Robert Crosbie of Project Ennistymon.
“A contractor is on board and we are hoping to begin construction after Easter. We would then hope to have it completed around November and open it before the end of the year”.
The granting of planning permission has been welcomed by local councillor and businessman Martin Conway (FG).
“The enterprise centre will offer existing businesses the chance to locate outside Shannon and Ennis. It will give local people who have ideas for businesses, a means of getting started and it will also create much needed employment in the area,” said Cllr Conway (FG).
The enterprise centre was made possible through a donation of land by the Sisters of Mercy.
“I would like to make a special thanks to the Sisters of Mercy without whom this project would never have gotten off the ground,” said Mr Crosbie.