Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys visited Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, to officially open the Ridge Business, Enterprise and Technology Centre.
Monaghan County Council was awarded funding of €3.4 million under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund to develop the Centre.
The Ridge Business, Enterprise and Technology Centre will provide high quality office space and remote working facilities for new and existing businesses.
The building is located in the centre of the town and will increase the potential for Castleblayney to act as a centre for business creation, supporting existing businesses and the creation of new job opportunities.
The investment comes as part of the government’s commitment to the revitalisation of rural towns under its Rural Development Policy, Our Rural Future and the Town Centre First policy which aim to bring more people, business and investment opportunities to Irish towns.
Speaking at the Centre in Castleblayney, Minister Humphreys said, “this is a fantastic project that will bring about real economic and social benefits to Castleblayney and indeed the entire North East Region. We’re hearing so much these days about how competitive our Labour market is – and we obviously saw this week unemployment fall to a new low of 3.8 per cent.”
“And so employers are very much realising the importance of incentivising and retaining their workers by giving them remote working options. You see it in so many job notices these days – the option of remote or hybrid working. And that’s why facilities like the Ridge Centre are so important as we continue on what really has become a remote working revolution.”
The Minister also visited Lough Muckno to open the Onomy Walk and Exercise Trail and an outdoor educational space on Point Black Island.
Then in Carrickmacross the Minister opened Carrickmacross Dog Park & Tullynaskeagh Bio Diversity Park and Walking Loop.
