Expressions of interest are being sought from enterprises who may be interested in locating themselves in IQ Ballina – the recently constructed innovation hub and enterprise space located in the heart of the town in the old Military Barracks.
IQ Ballina which is owned by Mayo County Council was funded through the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund via a joint application that also included Moy Valley Resources IRD who will manage and maintain the innovation hub.
The new campus located at Market Square will meet the demand for high quality enterprise space in Ballina and north Mayo while also addressing dereliction and vacancy in the property stock of the town.
Various sized offices, flexible desk spaces and meeting facilities will be provided across the three-building complex to accommodate a myriad of business needs.
The URDF funding, granted through the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, has allowed Mayo County Council to sensitively repurpose the historically significant site and ensure its’ value for future generations.
It is planned that IQ Ballina will attract the brightest, best, and most innovative new businesses to the town, including those in the start-up stage or in expansionary mode.
It is expected that tenants will occupy offices from early 2024 and a programme of open days, business related events and other opportunities to use the facility will be on offer throughout the year.
The new development also includes a public realm area that is designed to accommodate small-scale events and encourage community and social activity and engagement with the space, following the significant investment in the site – ensuring that this project is of benefit to the whole community.
Given the considerable interest in the new facility to date, businesses will need to request and submit an Expression of Interest form, after which an evaluation process will be carried out to select tenants.
Interested business owners and entrepreneurs can request an EOI form from eoienquiries@iqballina.ie.
John Magee, Head of Local Enterprise Office Mayo highlighted the importance of IQ Ballina to the enterprise infrastructure in the north Mayo region. He said: “The three blocks which now form IQ Ballina date back to around 1740. The finished complex is a coherent synthesis of old and new building systems respecting best construction practice and conservation principles. The facility will provide space for up to 150 people in state-of-the-art premises and well greatly enhance the attractiveness of Ballina as a location for job creation.”
Chairperson of Moy Valley Resources, David Dwane, added: “Moy Valley Resources welcomes the opportunity to expand on the work of our organisation. We are a social and economic development company among whose primary activities include enterprise support.
“We have been providing enterprise space in our own units at The Quay, Greenhills Enterprise Centre and Bunree Industrial Estate for many years, so we are delighted that IQ Ballina will now provide an additional and very attractive location for us to continue our role.”
Annette Maughan, CEO of Moy Valley Resources, also pointed to the successful enterprise units currently under the management of Moy Valley Resources, and how these have helped many businesses grow and thrive.
She said: “We have over 20 businesses located in Moy Valley Resources premises, for example, the award winning Noo Chocolates which is based at our Quay Ballina units and the expanding Ox Timber Frame company who have relocated to our Bunree premises, and we look forward to helping many new enterprises take their first big steps towards success in IQ Ballina.
“Our expertise in this sector enables us to provide supports in other aspects of enterprise growth too, such as advice on funding opportunities and we are excited to be launching the Expression of Interest form for those interested in locating their business in the new IQ Ballina.”
Further information will be available in the coming weeks through www.mayo.ie, www.moyvalley.ie and www.localenterprise.ie/Mayo/.
For further information contact: John Magee, Head of Enterprise, LEO Mayo, jmagee@mayococo.ie; Annette Maughan, CEO Moy Valley Resources, amaughan@moyvalley.ie; or Jacqueline Kinsella, Jacqui.kinsella@moyvalley.ie.
Interested business owners and entrepreneurs can request an EOI form from eoienquiries@iqballina.ie.
