Offaly LEO aiming to develop Offaly's national and international reputation

ORLA Martin, Head of Enterprise at the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Offaly, gave a presentation at this month's Birr Municipal District meeting.

This presentation centred around the enterprise, economic, and tourism developments, and planned developments, for Offaly.

Orla talked about several initiatives which have been taken on by the LEO such as “All in a Day’s Work”, Feasibility Study Grants, and the Trade Accelerator Programme. She noted that these are “great to have in the BMD area, and I'd encourage the councillors to be aware of each of these initiatives as they can be a great support for businesses”.

Next, Ms Martin spoke about the LEO’s Economic Strategy and Action Plan. The LEO will attempt to develop Offaly a national and international reputation in six distinct categories: Construction and Engineering, Rural Green, MedTech and Wellbeing, ICT Sector, Food and Nutrition, and EcoTourism and the creative Arts.

In order to achieve their goals for this plan, the LEO will be “leveraging what strength we have shown in the past, and building out from them”.

Finally, Ms Martin mentioned updates on the development of the Rhode Green Energy Park. Two Feasibility Studies have been completed and launched. The first is the study on Data Centre Integration with Renewables, which confirms Rhode’s suitability for large energy users to decarbonise.

The second is on Rhode Renewable Hydrogen, which confirms Rhode’s suitability for a renewable hydrogen hub. Both reports mention the potential for job and economic development.

Several councillors asked Orla about the possibility of developing extra industrial sites throughout the county in order to create more job potential, and make the sites more accessible to everyone in terms of distance.

Ms Martin noted that “we would like more industrial sites, but we have to take a look at financing”.