Galway East TD Seán Canney is this week welcomes the funding for a Food Innovation Hub for Athenry as part of the Regional Development Fund announced today.
‘I have made representations on this matter to the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and also to the Minister of State for Training, Skills, Innovation, Research and Development, John Halligan TD. The proposal to build a Food Innovation Hub for Athenry is vital to create positive news for the people of Athenry.
‘The decision on funding was made today by the Minister of Enterprise & Trade, Heather Humphreys TD. The funding is part of the Regional Development Fund administered by Enterprise Ireland. There was an open call for applications in May. Galway County Council made a submission for a Food Innovation Hub for Athenry.
‘BIA Innovator Campus is a step change project that will transform the food entrepreneurship landscape in the West of Ireland by realising a dynamic food and drink innovation centre creating 360 jobs within 3 years in 40+ businesses while unlocking far reaching innovation ecosystem benefits’.
‘The facility is to be based on Teagasc lands in Athenry and consists of a 23,000 sq. ft. facility, including 9,000 sq. ft. enterprise hub and training facilities, including four training kitchens. Getting the green light today enables the project to go to Part 8 planning and work on the building would commence in 2018.
‘Athenry will benefit in terms of job creation and will become a centre of excellence in food innovation. This type of enterprise sits well into Galway East and can benefit food producers, food entrepreneurs and the wider agri-industry.’