There has been widespread welcome among local politicians to last Thursday’s announcement that pharmaceutical company PPD Inc is to establish a €14 million research facility in Athlone with the creation of 250 jobs.
Local TD Denis Naughten described the news as “a major flagship announcement that will not only benefit Athlone, but the region as a whole”.
“This announcement puts Athlone, and importantly the towns around it, on the map for major research investment and spin-off companies supporting such research facilities,” said Deputy Naughten.
"This is a welcome and very timely boost to the local economy and sends out a strong message that the Midlands is open for business with foreign direct investment. All involved in attracting this investment, especially the local IDA staff, are to be commended.
Chairperson of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise Trade and Employment, Deputy Willie Penrose, said the announcement “demonstrates that Ireland remains an attractive hub for such investment”.
“This is a beacon of light in a very difficult economic environment and we are very lucky to have one of the foremost and most progressive third-level institutions, Athlone Institute of Technology, under the leadership of Prof Ciarán Ó Catháin and his colleagues, which continues to produce top quality graduates across the disciplines, and which obviously makes it attractive for companies such as PPD to locate here.
“I compliment Barry O’Leary and Kevin McCarthy and all involved at IDA level in once again being successful in securing this important jobs announcement, which will benefit Athlone and all the surrounding areas,” he said.
However, he also requested that the IDA “redouble their efforts and focus all their energy, expertise, and resources to secure a similar type of industry for the well-appointed IDA Industrial Park, situated at Marlinstown, Mullingar”.
Meanwhile Deputy James Bannon said the decision of PPD to expand its base to Ireland, and particularly Athlone, “will provide a welcome injection of confidence in the Midlands which is ideally placed, both geographically and in terms of a well educated and highly trained workforce, to take on this enterprise.
“Athlone Institute of Technology has been a valuable resource for the education and training of personnel who are ready to take on these positions. It is to be hoped that increased investment of this nature, which the college has played its part in securing, will see the demand for university status in the Midlands become a reality.
“Balanced development must be prioritised for the region, with Mullingar and Longford currently being left out of the development loop,” he added.
