‘Strong interest’ in new Cootehill technology park
Work got back underway earlier this month following a delay to development works, located at Drumnaveil North just off the Cavan Road, as a result of Covid restrictions.
There has been strong interest from companies looking to invest in the new Cootehill Technology and Industrial park.
Work got back underway earlier this month following a delay to development works, located at Drumnaveil North just off the Cavan Road, as a result of Covid restrictions.
The planned technology park project by the Cavan County Enterprise Fund has the potential to host the creation of several hundred jobs in the locality. It has benefited from allocations of more than €910,000 in funding to date, including under the Government’s Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.
“We have had plenty of interest,” confirmed Director of Services Brendan Jennings, with two sites sold already- one of which was to Paul Quinn Engineering (PQE).
Though no development has started as yet, the local firm has attained planning permission to construct a fully serviced factory premises, comprising a single storey production area, engineering works/fabrication/painting/finishing area; delivery and dispatch areas along with internal and external storage.
The development will also include a new two-storey administration block, as well as external works to include car parking, access road and perimeter fencing.
Another local company is understood to have bought the second site with ambitions to expand their industrial footprint in the town.
“They've yet to apply for planning but we've working towards that with them. We've also a lot of strong interest in the other sites too, working with two in particular in terms of detail and site layout.”
One of those interested parties has ambitions to build a substantial facility in Phase 2 of the Cootehill Technology and Industrial park, which the Council have yet to progress.
“They're purpose-built sites. Phase one of construction is almost complete. It took a natural break due to Covid, but we're now back on track when the site reopened again about two weeks ago. The contractor is involved in putting down the finished surface on the feeder roads, on footpaths, issues like that, and it is moving quickly we're happy to report.”
Mr Jennings adds that, as an addition to the industrial landscape, not just of Cootehill, but the county, “[the park] can have a very positive impact on the local economy we believe. It's brilliant. The interest we're having is primarily local, local to the Cavan, Cootehill, Monaghan area and looking to expand their facilities, which is great in this day and age of Brexit and other uncertainty.
“Cootehill has always been very strong in the engineering sector. There is a core cluster that has developed here over the years, made a name for themselves nationally and internationally. One company is looking at large-scale logistics. It's all very positive for Cootehill and the county as a whole.”
It was estimated an one stage that the new technology and industrial park could accommodate employment for up to 260 workers.
“We're working with the businesses who are interested to realise the scale and pace at which they want to build. In reality, the impact of various outside forces - Brexit and now Covid - will slow enthusiasm for expansion for a lot of companies, but that doesn't mean this isn't a worthwhile endeavour. The facility is there for them, we're not going anywhere, we've developed this park for investment in our county, in our economy, and if it takes two, five, even 10 years to fill out, so be it. The important thing is the infrastructure is there for the long-term, it's in our ownership, and it very much is a case the county is open for business.”