The project which has commenced today, 13 May, and is expected to be completed by Q3, 2025. When complete, the hub will be home to County Kildare's growing food and drink sector and will support entrepreneurs in developing innovative products and methods.
The advancement of the hub will be crucial in tackling unemployment in Athy and its surrounding region by offering accessible and engaging opportunities for further education and training.
With €5.1 million secured from the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) of the Department of Rural and Community Development, Kildare County Council, in partnership with Coca-Cola, is matching funds to complete this project. Despite Coca-Cola's closure of its production facilities in Athy in 2018, the company has pledged support for this initiative to generate opportunities for the local workforce.
Welcoming the appointment of JS Dooley Contracting who will Join Bluett & O'Donoghue, the architects for the project, Jacqui Mc Nabb Head of Enterprise ,Economic Development & Tourism in Kildare County Council said: "I'm delighted to finally see this project entering the construction stage ,Kildare is home to a growing food and drinks sector and its vibrant entrepreneurs will soon have a bespoke space to further hone their skills and develop new products. We presently have no food incubation space, or indeed, commercial kitchens to rent in the County. The hub will soon provide these much-needed facilities and the innovation space where new ideas can be teased out and tested by our entrepreneurs. The attainment of skills and quality jobs for the people of Athy and the surrounding areas is a key focus of the local area plan and I look forward to having the physical space on our doorstep for the unemployed and school leavers to learn new skills through local and regional further education providers and training partners."
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Sonya Kavanagh, Chief Executive of Kildare County Council, stated: "After a competitive procurement process, Kildare County Council is delighted to confirm that JS Dooley Contracting Limited (JSD) will be Kildare County Council's construction partner for the Athy Food, Drinks & Agritech Hub. We are very grateful to the Department of Rural and Community Development for the financial support received through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund which has enabled this project to progress. The delivery of this state-of-the-art facility will positively contribute to the continued development of County Kildare’s food and drink sector. Included with the delivery of this new facility will be a focus on attracting and upskilling new entrants to the Food & Drinks/Hospitality sector. Funding secured will enable the employment of a Food Manager who will provide onsite technical expertise to enable Kildare's food entrepreneurs to scale their businesses. Kildare’s Local Enterprise Office will compound this by working closely with the Food Manager and the businesses to offer assistance and business support."
JSD is a prominent Irish contractor renowned for its expertise in executing intricate projects, including the restoration of heritage structures similar to the Athy Model School. Currently, JSD is in the final stages of revamping the Shackleton Museum in Athy, scheduled for completion by summer 2025.
