Shannon body aims to create 1,500 jobs

SHANNON DEVELOPMENT has declared its intention to create 1,500 jobs in the Shannon Free Zone in the next three years.

In a submission to the Mid West Regional Authority, it said the jobs would be created in 40 separate projects.

The agency says it aims to increase sales by companies in the Shannon Free Zone by 10 per cent to €3.85 billion and to increase in-house research and development investment by 10 per cent to €816 million.

The plan comes against the background of a net jobs loss of 787 in the zone last year. The 11 per cent fall last year means 6,320 people are now employed in the zone.

Shannon Development has confirmed to the regional authority that it is putting in place a regeneration plan with phase one due to start over the next two years.

The agency states: “The master plan provides a comprehensive physical blueprint for a sustainable world-class physical environment based on the twin pillars of competitiveness and sustainability.”

The submission outlines plans to demolish obsolete buildings, upgrade infrastructure; and build 70,000sq ft of office space and 30,000sq ft of advanced technology buildings. It also aims “to implement a pilot project to trial and demonstrate the use of transformational new energy generating technology in the region”.

On its tourism targets, Shannon Development states it hopes to attract 11.5 million visitors between now and 2013, generating €2.75 billion in revenues and the creation of 1,250 jobs and 50 new firms.