Jobs boost as council announces community enterprise centre project

THE people of a West Cork town have received a boost on the job creation front after Cork County Council announced it is to provide a significant amount of money to construct a community enterprise centre.

Cllr Declan Hurley, chairman of the county council’s western division, said the local authority will be committing €350,000 from its Economic Development Fund — which was set up earlier this year — to provide a range of business development supports that will lead to increased job creation in Dunmanway.

The estimated cost of building the enterprise centre in the town is €800,000 and the remainder of the money is being provided by Enterprise Ireland and the local community.

Cllr Hurley said Enterprise Ireland was also helping to provide practical support in terms of space and facilities for the development of new businesses in urban and rural locations.

Last year, Cork County Council completed a deal with the IDA to purchase a three-acres at Brookpark, on the outskirts of the town, to develop the centre.

“The project will not only provide a mix of food units, individual offices and training rooms, but will also act as a catalyst in attracting and supporting businesses in the town and surrounding areas and will deliver employment and investment into the Dunmanway region,” Cllr Hurley (Ind) said.

He said the council’s contribution showed it was committed to sustaining jobs in West Cork into the future.

Cllr Hurley said the centre will be a key factor in the future development of Dunmanway as it will offer space at favourable rents to start-up businesses or those looking to expand or locate in the town.