'Game changer' for Roscrea

The securing of funding for a state-of-the-art enterprise and community hub with potential to create almost 200 jobs has been described as a "game changer" for Roscrea.
Over €1.9 million in Rural Regeneration & Development funding was announced for the hub last week. Coupled with a €225,000 contribution from Tipperary Co Council, it will allow the development of a new work place at the site of the old Tesco store in the town centre.
The hub plan has been an objective of several local stakeholders for some time. It will provide office space for people to work in Roscrea, enabling people to work remotely instead of commuting to larger urban centres. The facility will also have education and training elements.
An employment creation target has been set of 192 jobs within three years. It is estimated that the hub will command annual economic benefit of €8 million per annum.
In addition to the employment and economic boost that the centre will deliver for Roscrea, an estimated 500 learners per annum will achieve skills attainment at the centre. 
The hub will have 45 work stations supporting up to 116 jobs, as well as 16 work studios (own-door offices) that will support a further 48-64 jobs. There will also be provision of shared services to all resident businesses.
Based at a 11,450 sq ft commercial unit that has been vacant since 2011, the facility will have best-in-class connectivity through 1 gigabit broadband connection. 
And having a local base for commuters and remote workers means the project will also have a climate change dividend in terms of reduced with carbon cost.
It is understood that the hub will operate six days a week from 9am to 6pm, and on Sundays also if there is demand. Tipperary Co Council granted planning permission for the development last July.
The project is a joint venture between North Tipperary Development Company and property investment and management company Tiernan Properties. A new body called REACH (Roscrea Enterprise and Community Hub) CLG, a multi-agency and community initiative, has been established to develop the hub.
NTDC CEO Michael Murray said the project has potential to deliver exponential economic and employment benefits for Roscrea in the medium to long term. "Roscrea is a proud town with a lot of potential but, regrettably, the town and hinterland suffer from multi-faceted disadvantage," Mr Murray stated.
"Of the 175 EDs (Electoral Divisions) in County Tipperary, Roscrea is in the top 10% in terms of deprivation and there is little or no evidence of recovery locally, with the town gripped, in particular, by stubborn unemployment," he said.
"So, it is clear that not alone is an intervention needed for Roscrea but that education must be at its core. We believe that REACH can be the difference and will act as a catalyst for the recovery that is long overdue in Roscrea."
The project will combine local and specialist knowledge, skills and connections across rural development (North Tipperary Development Company), IT and digital (Tipperary County Council), education (LIT and TETB), social innovation (LIT and NTDC), enterprise (LEO and Roscrea Chamber of Commerce) and community (Roscrea Community Development Council and Roscrea Lions Club).　
Commenting on the project, Michael Tiernan of site owner Tiernan Properties stated: "This facility has been idle for eight years and the vacancy was probably at the worst possible time for Roscrea, which was disproportionately affected in the downturn and has not enjoyed any real benefit from the recovery. REACH will be a game-changer in that respect as it will be both an employment and educational hub, and we are delighted to have arrived at this juncture.
"This could not have been achieved without an incredible spirit of partnership and we are particularly grateful to the North Tipperary Development Company, Tipperary County Council, local politicians and other stakeholders who have come together to make this happen. While Roscrea and its hinterland can rightly feel neglected over the past decade or more, these stakeholders have come together to create a brighter future for everyone in this fine town."
Mr Tiernan continued: "One of the best ways to tackle unemployment in the long term is to invest in education and skills now. I have seen this happen and been involved in it elsewhere so I firmly believe this is a win-win for Roscrea and its hinterland. From a practical and cost perspective, everything stacks up as well as the project will cost 60% less than developing it on a new or green field site."