Growth projections reveal that the new Monksland ‘Life Sciences Hub’ has the capacity to create 125 jobs over a three-year period, based on current demand conditions.
The new facility will provide a co-working space, training facilities and a soft landing space for companies starting out in this recognised Life Sciences nucleus. The building will become part of an overall network of thematic hubs in the county along with Boyle and Castlerea.
The overall budget of €3,668,734 is supported by a grant of €2,751,544 from Minister Humphreys’ Department and the project is currently out for tender with anticipated construction work commencing later this year and expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2023.
The planned facility builds upon the high-level entrepreneurial spirit in the county, with 94% of Roscommon’s overall business being micro-enterprise driven. The project will offer local graduates the opportunity to return to a start-up, supportive, attractive environment.
The project sees Roscommon County Council working in Partnership with the Department of Rural & Community Development refurbishing an existing disused building adjacent to the M6 Dublin to Galway motorway at Monksland into an Innovation Hub.
The project is being developed in conjunction with the Monksland Town Team and local businesses linking with the local authority’s ‘Global Rossie’ strategy to potentially maximise opportunities for UK businesses into a local EU network, post-Brexit.
University of the Shannon (TUS, formerly Athlone Institute of Technology) are supportive of the proposal to develop the Monksland facility.
Roscommon County Council purchased the 14,000 square foot building in 2017, based on a Feasibility Report. Part 8 planning permission was granted in 2018. Earlier in July, Minister Heather Humphreys visited the site.
