Tánaiste Launches Athy Investment, Development and Employment Forum Brochure“Athy offers excellent opportunities for working, living and leisure” - Harney

Mary Harney, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment today (Friday 27th April 2001) officially launched a new promotional Brochure by the Athy Investment, Development and Employment Forum which she said "sets out the existing challenges to be undertaken to ensure that the physical and social infrastructure is enhanced in the interest of Athy’s future".

The Athy Investment, Development and Employment Forum was established to address the issues of above average unemployment, the deficit in the necessary infrastructure and the lack of substantial new investment in the Athy area. The Forum is jointly funded by Kildare Co. Council, Athy U.D.C., Enterprise Ireland and IDA. Speaking at the launch the Tánaiste said "the Athy Investment and Development Forum is a good example of partnership between the local business community, local and county authorities and the relevant state agencies all working together to ensure a prosperous future for the Athy area".

She said she wanted "to see increasing prosperity alongside economic and social development in all areas of the country. It is for this reason that this Government has committed itself to a re-focusing of its industrial policy on regional development. We want to encourage the development of industry across all of the regions of the country".“

"Athy is being treated as a priority town for investment and development by the relevant state agencies. The completion of IDA Ireland’s 28,000 sq.ft. (2,601 sq. metres) Advance Factory in Athy will provide much need workspace and should act as a catalyst for further investment in the town".She said "Enterprise Ireland is also contributing to the costs of a feasibility study on the provision and establishment of an Enterprise Centre in Athy. Community Enterprise Centres provide much needed enterprise space and can play a major role in encouraging the development of new local businesses", the Tánaiste added.

She continued "Athy is well placed to be a strategic development growth centre in terms of jobs, providing a quality environment sought by people who wish to live and work here. I am aware that Athy is undergoing a transformation with major investment planned over the coming years in industrial and commercial sectors and also in housing, roads and leisure facilities. These plans supported by Athy Urban District Council and local business interests will see Athy develop into a town offering excellent opportunities for working, living and leisure".

In conclusion the Tánaiste congratulated the members of the Athy Investment Development and Employment Forum who have been working tirelessly and continuously over the past few years to encourage and foster a development culture in the town.