BUSINESS
Hi-tech industry programme for Ennis
03-10-2000
by Barry McCall
A new hi-tech industry programme, designed to encourage business to locate in Ireland's Information Age town, Ennis, was announced on Tuesday.
The programme will provide a "one stop shop" of essential e-business tools ranging from broadband capacity to recruitment and training support for new and existing companies.
Businesses will benefit from high-speed connectivity through a digital fibre broadband ring which Eircom has built as part of the Information Age town project.
The 720,000 sq ft Ennis Digital Park, due to be operational late next year, will provide accommodation for e-commerce, software development and related activities.
The project is being co-ordinated by the Industry Programme Committee which comprises Eircom Ennis Information Age Town, Shannon Development, Ennis UDC, Clare County Council, FÁS, the IDA, Ennis Chamber of Commerce, Clare Chamber of Industry and the Clare Enterprise Board.
The programme involves a range of elements including a new package of
telecommunications services aimed at delivering advantages to businesses operating from the town. A consultancy service has also been set up in association with Eircom Consult to advise companies on connectivity issues.
In addition, assistance is available to manage the installation and networking of PCs, servers and peripherals at above-the-ground level.
Recruitment company the Marlborough Group will have a permanent presence in Ennis and provide a team of relocation consultants in Dublin who will advise their client base on relocation issues. Under the terms of the partnership arrangement, the Marlborough Group has built and will expand a portfolio of IT professionals in the region and others who are seeking a move to Ennis.
The e-learn@ennis Project in association with SmartForce will also provide 300 business training courses on-line. To ensure smooth access to all local services for new business an executive has been appointed to work with and on behalf of incoming companies. In addition a fast-track business set-up team has been established to provide a single point of contact for relevant State agencies.
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