Multimillion Roscrea REACH digital hub going to tender

Three years ago plans were unveiled to create a Digital Hub in Roscrea town centre, which would create almost 200 jobs and today it has been conformed the project will go to the tender stage.

The facility will be called the Roscrea Enterprise and Community Hub (REACH) and in November of 2019 €1.9 million in Rural Regeneration & Development funding was announced for the creation of the digital hub - which promised 192 jobs in the heart of Roscrea. 

With an additional €225,000 contribution from Tipperary County Council, the plan was for the development of a new work place at the site of the old Tesco store in the town centre - creating office space for people to work remotely instead of commuting to larger urban centres and will also have education and training elements.

When announced three years ago it was anticipated the hub would bring an annual economic benefit of €8-million per annum to Roscrea and today Deputy Michael Lowry and Roscrea-based Cllr. Shane Lee received official confirmation the long-awaited multimillion REACH Programme for Roscrea will now go to tender.

The much-needed Roscrea Enterprise and Community Hub (REACH) had been stalled for some time, until the local Board approached Deputy Lowry to intervene. Following discussions in recent days with Minister for Rural and Community
Development, Heather Humphreys TD., Deputy Lowry says that the go-ahead has now been received to move the Project to the vital Tender Stage, which is a huge jump forward for this much-needed facility in Roscrea.

The facility will be located in the heart of the town. Since 2019 Tipperary County Council has worked with and supported NTDC as lead applicants in securing Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) funding for the Roscrea Enterprise and Community Hub located in the heart of Roscrea town.

As a result, in 2019, NTDC was successful with their Rural and Community Development application and was awarded €1.9m, representing 75% of the project costs, from the Department of Community and Rural Development (DRCD) to deliver this Community Hub for Roscrea.

A Board was established under REACH CLG to oversee and deliver the project. Key to the project is a location where Tipperary ETB can deliver Courses to all people in the area, taking into account the need for a facility that is central to the town, within walking distance of transport links and has access for people with disabilities.

To date this year alone, despite not having the proper facility in which to operate, 678 persons have availed of courses in Roscrea, 614 of which availed of part-time options. "The potential when a permanent and suitable location is
available will be enormous" says Deputy Lowry.

"I am delighted that the project has now crossed this all-important line. This is a very important advancement for Roscrea" Cllr. Lee said.

The hub will have 45 work stations supporting up to 116 jobs, as well as 16 work studios (own-door offices) that will support a further 48-64 jobs. There will also be provision of shared services to all resident businesses.

The 11,450 sq ft commercial unit is located at the rear of Roscrea Shopping Centre and has been vacant since 2011 and will have best-in-class connectivity through a one-gigabit broadband connection.  It is understood that the hub will operate six days a week from 9am to 6pm, and on Sundays also if there is demand. Tipperary Co Council granted planning permission for the development in July of 2019.

Pictured at a recent meeting about advancing the plans are Mary Ryan (Local Enterprise Office) Seamus Hoyne   (TUS), Gerard Lynch (North Tipperary County Council), Michael Murray, NTDC, Jim Finn, NTDC. Seated left to right: Seamus Browne, Roscrea Chamber of Commerce, Olivia Kennedy, North Tipperary ETB, Deputy Michael Lowry, Brendan Hyland, Chairperson of REACH and (Roscrea Lions Club) and Liam Shanahan, Roscrea St. Vincent de Paul.

The project is a joint venture between North Tipperary Development Company and property investment and management company Tiernan Properties. A new body called REACH (Roscrea Enterprise and Community Hub) CLG, a multi-agency and community initiative was established to develop the hub.