Aviation circular economy hub earmarked for Mayo

AN aviation circular economy hub is earmarked for the Ireland West Airport complex.

Funding for the project will be sought under the Smart Regions enterprise innovation scheme, a fund run by Enterprise Ireland.

An application for funding is being submitted around now to Enterprise Ireland, members of Mayo County Council's economic and enterprise development strategic policy committee (SPC) were told.

Head of enterprise John Magee, in an update to the SPC on the recently approved economic strategy for the county, which sets out 25 actions, said the council is also collaborating with the Western Development Commission and local authority in Monaghan on a Smart Regions application on what will be an integrated and hopefully multi-county application.

Mr. Magee's run through the actions touched on many facets, from the progress being made on the SDZ at Knock airport to leveraging landbanks to attract investment, including the Westport Industrial Park extension, initiatives such as Mayo Ideas Month, and developing small business hubs around the county.

SPC cathaoirleach Councillor Al McDonnell wondered about the cyber security threat for small businesses, and was told an event is planned next March for this sector.

Councillor Michael Loftus asked if there was any progress on the IDA site in Ballina, and was told there is ongoing engagement between TII and IDA on road access.

On the SDZ at the airport, Councillor Loftus said they need to be kept informed on its progress. They were talking about it for a long time and it needs to be produced and have some sort of result.

The proposed prices of units at the Westport Industrial Park was raised by Councillor Chris Maxwell, who said they were beyond the reach of some. They needed to be encouraging young entrepreneurs to get businesses up and running and creating jobs, he said.