A proposed development of an enterprise park at Knock Airport designed to create up to 300 additional jobs over five years in aviation, tourism, marine, energy, food, and the life science sectors has been warmly welcomed as a good news story for the region.
A Government feasibility study into the establishment of an enterprise park at the airport will first be conducted by Shannon Development at the request of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation Batt O’Keeffe TD, and the findings submitted to the Minister in September of this year.
Speaking at the launch of the initiative at Knock Airport on Monday last, Mr O'Keeffe TD, said: “Ireland West Airport Knock is a business that was built in recession and, with the help of sustained Government support and investment, now flies over 600,000 passengers to 25 European destinations, employs 115 people, and contributes €62 million in annual tourism spend in the region.
“The joint feasibility study will investigate opportunities for job creation from areas such as spin-offs from the aviation, tourism, marine, energy, food, and life science sector. It will establish how best the Government, subject to budgetary commitments, can support the development of business and employment as a result of the study. This is a very timely initiative to seize on the enterprise opportunities presented in the west of Ireland by changing trends in manufacturing and internationally traded services.”
Liam Scollan, chairman, Ireland West Airport Knock said entrepreneurs wanting to partner with the airport in identifying business opportunities would be central to the initiative.
“The airport has always stood for self help and there is no better time than now to create opportunities for much needed employment at home around an airport that has growing connectivity to markets abroad.”
Knock native and Mayo Fianna Fáil senator John Carty commented: “Ireland West Airport Knock is the gem in the crown of Mayo and continues to be a remarkable success. Passengers through the airport have grown by 160 per cent since 2003 alone. There is serious potential in Mayo and in the west of Ireland for entrepreneurialism and business creation in areas such as green technology and micro technology and this kind of facility would provide the kind of supports needed to harness that potential.”
Deputy Beverley Flynn TD welcomed the Innovation Hub proposal at Ireland West Airport Knock.
“I am working with my government colleagues to ensure every possible opportunity is investigated and maximised to create jobs in Mayo and this represents a significant and unique opportunity in my view. Shannon Development has considerable expertise in the development of business parks, having been involved in creating Kerry Technology Park in Tralee which employs 300 people, and I am very hopeful that we can do something similar in Mayo. This is very exciting development.”
Mr Gerry Finn, director of the BMW Regional Assembly said the announcement endorsed its own findings for the four airports in the BMW Region, Donegal, Galway, Sligo, and Ireland West Airport Knock, which when combined with neighbouring industrial, business, or technology parks, “could be a valuable stimulant to the economic development of a region – as demonstrated in the case of the Shannon Region.”
The director added: “The Mayo area has proven that it can attract companies that are based on knowledge-intensive industries such as Baxter and Allergan, and the opportunities to attract foreign direct investment and indigenous companies are even greater when an airport is part of the combined package on offer.”
