Picture Credit: Gerard O’Loughlin
A new facility which provides flexible desk space, super-speed broadband, IP telephony and other support services to entrepreneurs has been launched by Roscommon County Council in their Civic HQ.
The facility, known as The Cube, is located at Áras an Chontae, and is the first of its kind to be located in a Local Authority HQ.
The initiative is a partnership between Roscommon County Council and WestBIC, aimed at new and existing enterprises and workers, who require a modern, professional environment with advanced connectivity to set up and operate their business.
The facility also provides extensive networking opportunities and linkages to the range of enterprise and innovation supports from the Local Authority, Local Enterprise Office, WestBIC and other agencies in a one-stop shop environment at the new Roscommon County Council Civic Offices in Roscommon town. The measure is regarded as an important stepping stone in the Council’s aim to provide strategic infrastructure.to foster the next generation of innovative enterprises across the county.
Launching the new centre, Leas Cathaoirleach Nigel Dineen spoke about the pro-active nature of the Council working in partnership with other organisations and the importance of developing facilities to attract the next generation of innovative enterprises.
“The Cathaoirleach and Elected
Members have provided their rooms to develop this new space. Funding was also provided to develop facilities in Castlerea to support local food industries. As part of the 3 year Capital Plan the Elected Members voted for funding to be made available for a new Innovation Centre and I knowthe Chief Executive and his team hope to proceed with plans later this year”.
The facility will be managed by WestBIC, the official EU Business and Innovation Centre for the West and North West Region of Ireland. WestBIC has been operating in Roscommon in partnership with Roscommon County Council since 1993. Since that time it has been fostering and supporting innovative enterprise in the region in conjunction with other support organisations including Enterprise Ireland, the Local Enterprise Office and Roscommon LEADER Partnership.
WestBIC provides Applied Innovation support services to Knowledge-Based Start Ups and early-stage SMEs, which includes, Investor Grade Business Planning for innovative enterprises, with hands-on support to access Start and Growth Capital, as well as managing Incubation and Enterprise Infrastructure across the region from Galway to Donegal. WestBIC also assists Roscommon County Council with its Strategic and Innovation planning, EU Programme delivery and International Partnering needs.
James Donlon, WestBIC Regional Manager, spoke about the ongoing collaboration between Roscommon County Council and WestBIC.
“WestBIC has an ongoing partnership with the Council since 1993, which has gone from strength to strength through many collaborative projects aimed at supporting economic development and innovative enterprises the county. This is another step in fostering and retaining our best entrepreneurs in the county, especially the many graduates that the county produces, who often have to leave in search of work opportunities or the necessary infrastructure to assist them to establish their own businesses.”
Anyone wishing to avail of the new facility should contact James at WestBIC in the Roscommon County Council Civic Offices, on 090 6625196 or email: [email protected].