Latest news with #WesternDevelopmentCommission
Irish Independent
07-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Sligo's AIM Centre offering parents a space to work during the summer holidays
But what if there was a quiet, professional place to work just down the road? There is – at your local Connected Hub. There are now more than 385 hubs in the Connected Hubs network across the island. Together, they offer over 5,000 desks and 620 meeting rooms. There are already 11 hubs across County Sligo and the AIM Centre in Sligo town is one example. They opened a brand-new building last year and see more visitors in summer. 'Lots of parents come here during the holidays,' says Mark Capilitan, the centre's Operations Manager. 'Many are originally from Sligo but live abroad now.' So why do they use the hub? 'They need a proper space to take calls or meet deadlines without disturbing their family,' says Mark. 'And they love how flexible it is. They can use a desk for a day or a few weeks. Whatever suits.' Hot desks are the most popular. They're easy to book and ideal for remote workers or parents passing through. The team is also happy to adapt. 'If someone needs to work earlier because of time zones, we try to help,' says Mark. AIM also runs kids' summer camps – a big help for working parents. These camps focus on hands-on learning and fun. 'They might do coding, 3D printing or STEM projects,' says Mark. 'It's lively, creative and great to see the energy kids bring.' The AIM Centre is part of a wider network called Connected Hubs. These are work and innovation spaces across towns and villages in Ireland. You can book a hub space online at 'They've become really important to local communities,' says Leah Fairman, who works with Connected Hubs. 'They help people work close to home and support small businesses by offering them affordable space and services.' And more are on the way. 'We want over 400 hubs on the website by the end of 2025,' says Leah. Connected Hubs is a government-backed programme. It aims to breathe life back into towns and villages by making remote work easier, supporting local business growth, and attracting new business. It's part of Our Rural Future and is led by the Western Development Commission, with support from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. So, if you're working through the summer holidays, it might be worth checking out your nearest hub.
RTÉ News
30-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
WDC launch 5-year strategy to support creation of 5,000 jobs
The Western Development Commission has launched a five-year strategy that sets out to support the creation of 5,000 jobs through enterprise and regional development projects. The strategy sets out a roadmap that will see the WDC invest €50 million in the western region including €35m drawn from its own investment fund and €15m sourced from EU funding. A €35m investment from the WDC's fund will see €25m earmarked for SMEs, €7m for social enterprises and €3m for creative industries. The WDC aims to secure a further €15m investment through EU-funded projects, including participation in Interreg, the Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme and Horizon Europe. It is envisaged that the combined impact of the WDCs various programmes and initiatives will contribute to supporting 5,000 new jobs by 2030. Established in 1999, the WDC operates as a State agency under the remit of the Department of Rural and Community Development to promote and support social and economic development in counties Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon, Galway, and Clare. Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary launched 'Unlocking Potential, Driving Change: A Strategy for Regional Growth and Collaboration 2025–2029' in his hometown of Ballina, Co Mayo this afternoon. Mr Calleary said the five-year WDC strategy aligns with the Government's rural development policy and reinforces their commitment to balanced regional growth and innovation. Some of the WDC's key targets include increasing the number of connected hubs from approximately 380 to 400 hubs while developing the connected hubs network as a platform to deliver AI upskilling and other digital skills. The Western Investment Fund portfolio currently consists of 120 companies and projects valued at €90m. The WDC plans to deliver more than 100 projects across SMEs, social enterprises, and the creative sector through its Investment Fund and support a further 1,000 SMEs through EU-funded programmes. CEO of the WDC Allan Mulrooney said the strategy focuses on investing in high-potential companies, supporting communities, and testing scalable solutions in rural Ireland. "We've co-created a strategy that is both ambitious and grounded in what already works. In the years ahead, talent, not geography, will shape the West's future. But talent needs the right conditions to thrive," Mr Mulrooney said. "From AI to climate action, social enterprise to creative industries - we're building the platforms to turn regional potential into long-term impact," Mr Mulrooey added. The organisation also plans to reach an annual audience of more than one million people to promote the region as a place to live, work and to carry out business.
Irish Post
23-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Post
Medical device company announces opening of new 'world-class' facility in Galway
A GALWAY company specialising in the development and contract manufacturing of medical devices has announced the opening of a new facility at Ballybrit Business Park. Galway Biomedical will develop and manufacture medical device components for use in the vascular, dental, orthopaedic, urology and general surgery clinical fields. The company intends to build a global reputation as a dependable and responsive partner for the development and commercialisation of cutting-edge implantable medical devices. "Today's official opening of the new facility marks a significant milestone in achieving our vision," said Conan Campbell, CEO and Founder of Galway Biomedical. "We now plan to accelerate our growth momentum by significantly expanding our team, capacity and capability. "We look forward to serving new customers and welcoming new team members to our world-class facility." 'Centre of excellence' In the year ahead, the company intends to continue its extensive fit-out of the Ballybrit facility. The plans include the construction of an ISO Class 7/8 cleanroom to allow it to compete in terms of facility design and capability. Galway Biomedical is also looking to add new technologies to support its manufacturing capabilities, enabling customers to pioneer advancements in medicine. "We chose the name Galway Biomedical for this new venture because of the reputation Galway has in the medical device industry," said Mr Campbell. "It is recognised as a centre of excellence along with other global regions such as the Bay Area in California, Minneapolis and Boston metropolitan areas. "Our aim is to bolster that reputation by making the name of the city we proudly carry in our name even more synonymous with medical device excellence. "We will do this by creating a first-class facility with a highly-skilled workforce from an exceptional pool of talent in Galway." The company recently closed an oversubscribed Series A investment round. Backers include the Western Development Commission state agency, Enterprise Ireland and private medical device veteran investors. "We appreciate the trust put in us and intend to repay it by ensuring that our shareholders receive a significant return on their investment, but also by ensuring that Galway Biomedical strives relentlessly to enhance the reputation of Ireland as a world-class centre for medical device excellence in innovation and manufacturing," added Mr Campbell. See More: Galway, Galway Biomedical
Irish Independent
23-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Galway medical device company eyes up workforce expansion as it opens new facility
Galway Biomedical Ltd has moved into a 13,000 sq ft facility in Ballybrit Business Park. Plans for the new facility include a 4,000 sq ft ISO Class 7/8 cleanroom and further technology to support manufacturing. The company says it will develop and manufacture medical device components for use in the vascular, dental, orthopaedic, urology and general surgery medical fields and hopes to build a global reputation as a 'dependable and responsive partner for the development and commercialisation of cutting edge implantable medical devices.' The company recently closed an oversubscribed Series A investment round, with backers including the Western Development Commission, Enterprise Ireland and private medical device investors. Now, senior figures Galway Biomedical say that plans are in place to further growth, with capacity and workforce expansion on the cards: 'Today's official opening of the new facility marks a significant milestone in achieving our vision. CEO and founder of Galway Biomedical Conan Campbell said. 'We now plan to accelerate our growth momentum by significantly expanding our team, capacity, and capability. We look forward to serving new customers and welcoming new team members to our world-class facility. 'We chose the name Galway Biomedical for this new venture because of the reputation Galway has in the medical device industry. It is recognised as a centre of excellence along with other global regions such as the Bay Area in California, Minneapolis and Boston metropolitan areas. 'Our aim is to bolster that reputation by making the name of the city we proudly carry in our name even more synonymous with medical device excellence. We will do this by creating a first-class facility with a highly skilled workforce from an exceptional pool of talent in Galway' Minister for Rural and Community Development Dara Calleary officially carried out the ribbon cutting ceremony and welcomed the addition of the new facility to the enterprise network in Galway and the wider western region. 'This announcement from Galway Biomedical is a great boost to Galway and Ireland. This is particularly good news for the west of Ireland where we are now well established as leaders in the life sciences sector and have a reputation for excellence and innovation,' he said. 'However, we will never take this for granted and will continue to work hard to bring the best investment to all parts of the country. Galway Biomedical's plans to invest is fantastic. I am confident the team will find top talent to fill the new jobs planned. Congratulations to the entire team. I wish you all many years of continued success and growth.'
