Offaly councillor wants EU funding for 'international business park' in county
Fine Gael councillor for Edenderry, Noel Cribbin, has this week submitted an application to the EU Just Transition Fund seeking financial support for the establishment of an International Business Park on Bord na Mona lands at Derrygreenagh in Co Offaly.
The Just Transition Fund is aimed at helping areas that have been affected by the move to climate neutrality.
According to Cllr Cribbin, given the thousands of jobs lost in North Offaly as a result of the move away from peat production, this funding is necessary to help sustain the local economy.
Speaking in relation to the application, Cllr Cribbin said: "Rightly or wrongly the decision to stop peat production by Bord na Mona (BNM) has had serious implications on our local community, causing massive job losses and a move from a way of life that has been at the heart of this area for many years.
"The only way to replace lost jobs is by creating new ones. I have been calling for some time now for a Green Energy Hub for North Offaly because of our wind farms (6 with planning permission), solar farms, Edenderry Power and now plans by BNM to build a 600 mw Gas powered station and the progression of plans for a 3,000 acre BNM International Energy Park at Derrygreenagh.
"The addition of an International Business Park would provide a home for multinational companies eager to take advantage of all that North Offaly has to offer in the form of the massive Green Energy produced here and powered by wind, solar, gas and biomass. These companies in turn have the potential to bring sustainable and well-paid employment back to the Midlands and provide the jobs that will keep young people in the area and breathe new life into North Offaly.
"I am calling on the Just Transition Fund, working alongside BNM, to give substantial financial support from this massive fund in order to develop the International Business Park needed to bring back the many jobs lost in this area,” concluded Cllr Cribbin.