Local Independent Councillor, Michael O’Brien, has called on Enterprise Ireland, IDA and the Minister for Enterprise to prioritise Moate as a location for a new industry.
“Moate needs a new industry and I am tabling a motion at the next meeting of Athlone Municipal District calling on the council to write to Enterprise Ireland and the IDA to request that they address our Municipal District meeting to discuss my proposal and give them an opportunity to outline their plans for Moate,” Cllr. O’Brien remarked.
The sitting Councillor noted the advantages pertaining to Moate with regard to the establishment of new industry in the locality.
“Moate is the third biggest town in Westmeath. It is adjacent to Athlone IT, the M6 Motorway and has a strong community focus. It offers so much to an employer. Moate fought its way through the recessionary years and in my strong view needs an industry. It is imperative that Moate secures sufficient industry in order to prosper and develop. Presently, Moate is very much a residential town and most people living in Moate don’t work in the town. Unfortunately, the majority of people end up contributing more to the economy of where they are working rather than where they are living,” Cllr. O’Brien continued.
The Independent Councillor expressed his desire to see an industry open within the town which would employ in excess of fifty personnel.
“This needs to be reserved. Moate needs a new employer providing employment for up to fifty or more people. This would make a huge difference to traders in town and would encourage more people to go into business in Moate. I’ve tabled a motion for our upcoming Municipal District meeting calling on the council to write to Enterprise Ireland and the IDA to attend a local authority meeting and discuss this issue to see what can be done to provide more employment in Moate” Cllr. O’Brien concluded.
