Retiring chief Paddy Mahon looks back on the investment that helped shape Longford
Chief Executive Paddy Mahon recently retired from his role with Longford County Council after 10 years at the helm.
During his tenure, Longford County Council Chief Executive Paddy Mahon has been widely credited with helping to attract significant investment into Longford. Drive through any industrial estate and you will see no end of signage with established brand names and famous logos.
Says Paddy, “There's a number of foreign direct investment companies, mainly around Longford Town, and also indigenous companies in Longford town that have expanded and are performing very well. You just have to think of the likes of Abbott on the outskirts of the town, they're in an expansion mode at the moment.”
"We work very closely with them, and indeed the idea is to make sure that they're in a position to continue to expand and continue to be a big employer here in the county, Technimark is also in a fairly major expansionary phase at the moment.”
He adds, “Panelto Foods have just gone through a significant phase of expansion over the last few years. Another strong firm here is Avery Dennison. These are companies that have been in Longford for many, many years and have attracted additional investment from outside sources.”
Speaking about the importance of economic development, Paddy highlighted the partnership role between the council, businesses of all sizes and the associated agencies.
“In terms of economic development, we make sure that we work with businesses, whether they're small, medium or large, and with the agencies that support them, the likes of the IDA and Enterprise Ireland.”
“We work very closely with them to make sure that businesses can set up here in Longford and be successful, or if the businesses that are already established here, that they can continue to prosper and thrive and expand where necessary. We’re happy to see a lot of businesses having gone through those phases and continue to look at expanding here in Longford Town.”
With significant investment already delivered, and more on the way, it is hoped Longford Town will become an even more attractive location for businesses to establish and expand.
As Paddy explains. “In terms of regeneration, it’s just the start of it.”
“The council purchased the Providers building a number of years ago. We kept looking for the right project for it and we believe we have found it now and that the new purchaser will, we expect, deliver a major contribution to the whole economic revival of the Lower Main Street of Longford Town.”
“It’s part of an overall regeneration programme that the council has been working on over the last number of years.”
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