By Conor Sharkey
Some of Ireland's biggest investors will tomorrow (Friday) set out their plans to provide Strabane with its biggest jobs windfall in two decades, the Strabane Chronicle can reveal.
The blueprint that could put Strabane's economy on par with boom towns such as Letterkenny will be revealed at a lunch attended by First Minister Ian Paisley in Floyds of Ballymagorry.
Guest speakers are believed to include a representative of the Brunswick company, renowned within the ten pin bowling industry and Dublin based Harcourt Developments.
For the past five years, construction/development giant Harcourt has been connected with a £20m regeneration of the Camel's Hump.
In 2003, the company unveiled plans to build a 100 room hotel and leisure centre, 100,000sq ft of offices/business units and several apartment blocks on what was once one of the border's most notorious security cross-overs. It was mooted then that such a development would create anywhere up to 300 jobs for the Strabane/Lifford region.
Since then however, planning and environmental wranglings have resulted in constant delays. But it appears much behind-the-scenes work by the Chamber of Commerce, as well as Strabane 2000 and Strabane Council could now be on the verge of paying dividends.
It has been speculated that at least one of the companies in attendance at tomorrow's lunch, hosted by the Strabane Chamber, will commit to a major investment in Strabane if conditions are right, the onus falling on the assembly.
And while at this stage, much of what will be revealed tomorrow remains speculation, it has been confirmed that the meeting will at least provide a catalyst for future investment.
Welcoming the fact that high profile companies such as Harcourt are laying out their plans for the Strabane/Donegal region, former chairman of Strabane 2000, Eugene McMenamin said: "This is excellent news and Strabane Council has pushed for something as big as this for years.
"With regards to Harcourt, their efforts have to be applauded because they have persevered for years to secure the Camel's Hump site. If they do now get the go ahead to build there, it will have a very positive and far reaching affect for everyone in this area.
Meanwhile, councillor Derek Hussey said he hoped the positive economic vibe would spread throughout the district.
"This can only be welcomed if and when it arrives, given the current difficulties within the economic sector. With the potential for other developments, we could be looking at a positive economic future for the town."
and I would certainly trust that those who are leading such proposals will be aware that Strabane is more than the town. It is a District where economic difficulties also exist and need to be addressed," Mr Hussey added.
