The South West College is entering an exciting new era in Enniskillen as it pushes ahead with plans to develop a Centre for Rural Innovation, Regeneration and Sustainability. It is to be located near Cross Cemetery on the Irvinestown Road in Enniskillen
It is intended that the facility will be used by the South West College Campuses in Enniskillen, Omagh, Cookstown and Dungannon, along with the Institute of Technology Sligo, and Letterkenny Institute of Technology.
It is intended the Centre said it will bring a professional standard of research and development facility normally only found in metropolitan areas to the regions micro and small and medium sized business and the industry in the area.
The Centre aims to develop a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, and to provide the technical expertise to mentor and support industries that were significant to the region's development.
In particular, the Centre will facilitate the application of new technologies and management techniques with a focus on the development, application and utilisation of sustainable energy solutions; the convergence of waste management and energy solutions at local level; rural industry sectors engineering, design and testing solutions; and product innovation and development.
Enniskillen had been chosen as the most central site to the project partners' area of operation.
An application for funding for the Centre has been submitted under the Interreg IV programme and, in order to progress the application, it was necessary to confirm availability of a suitable site.
The project promoters requested Fermanagh District Council to lease land owned by the Council near to Cross Cemetery for development of the project.
At Monday night's meeting of the Council, it was agreed that the land identified on the Irvinestown Road should be leased to the South West College for development of a Centre for Rural Innovation, Regeneration and Sustainability. The lease terms are yet to be confirmed.
The Centre was welcomed by Councillors.
Alex Baird, UUP extended his congratulations to all involved in helping to secure the development. He said it would give a boost to the economy, both in the number of jobs associated with building the college, and then in the future with the disposable income the new students would bring to the area.
Councillor Domhnall Ó'Cobhthaigh, Sinn Féin, said: "This is an important development for this county and it is something of a coup that we have secured this investment.
"It will have clear significance in terms of providing a basis for a step-change in Research and Development in this County, where we have the highest of business start up's anywhere on this island," he explained.
"It is essential,, he went on, " that local businesses can integrate the best forms of technology available to increase their market efficiency and, thereby effectively compete specifically on the export market."
However, Mr Ó'Cobhthaigh, while welcoming the Council's agreement to speak with representatives of the College around its other plans in this County, he had heard a number of reports 'that would cause me concern'.
" It would appear," he said, "that in the restructuring, Fermanagh College has lost a large proportion of senior staff positions, and I also have fears that there are cut-backs planned to the variety of community-education provisions. I would like clarity on these matters."
