Digital hub seeks to expand

Cavan Digital Hub has applied for permission to build a standalone business development unit within the IDA park at Killygarry.

The plan is to to erect an Advanced Technology Building at Site No. 3 with a view to allowing local firms at the hub to grow further should they require the space.

This new two-storey serviced factory unit will incorporate administration and staff facility areas, along with a single-storey manufacturing/assembly/storage area.

It will also provide access via existing entrances, parking, signage, landscaping, boundary treatments, bicycle shelter, connection to public sewer, as well as surface water, watermains and utility services and all ancillary works.

In mid-2019 Cavan Digital Hub opened its doors to prospective clients at the newly refurbished tower facility in the Kilmore Business Park.

The hub opened with three anchor tenants - Glic Tech, formerly Veltig, which is run by Donal De Paor; Apridata, a data analytics firm run by Richard Stafford; and IT cyber security support company, Cinnte, set-up by Danny Barr.

Since then, it has added US-firm Public Relay, as well as a growing list of clientele to benefit from high-speed internet connection and its on-site hot-desking facilities.

The centre was established though funding of €217,000 provided by Enterprise Ireland, through the Department of Rural and Community Development, and €100,000 obtained through the Rural Economic Development Zones (REDZ) scheme, while Cavan County Council has to date committed more than €300,000 to the project.

The hub’s development is a centrepiece in the Council’s overarching Local Economic Development Plan, as well as its ‘Digital Strategy’.

It’s understood that the Council will assist in attaining planning for the project, and that the IDA will subsequently then market the property to potential foreign investment.

Last year the IDA issued a tender for contractors to extend existing infrastructure within its Business & Technology Park.

The development on the Cavan Town campus was the latest in the area after Kilnaleck-based business Breffni Air built two new, fully-serviced, factory units on sites six and seven.

The project is being supported by Enterprise Ireland and Cavan Local Enterprise Office (LEO).

The overall Killygarry business park site is shared with ATA Tools.