BACD with over 13,000 square feet available are very well placed to provide accomodation for the recently announced decentralisation program as well as start up ventures.

Ballinasloe Enterprise & Technology Centre

This company, which is a joint initiative of Ballinasloe Chamber of Commerce, Ballinasloe Town Council, Ballinasloe Credit Union and Creagh Community Development, was established in 1999 to act as the main driving force in the economic development of the town and its hinterland. The company's main focus is to assist the town in:

• Creating sustainable local employment
• Stabilising the population base
• Attracting local skilled emigrants back home
• Facilitating the development of new and established businesses in the area
• Multi media & tele conferencing facilities available
• Providing an Education and Training Center for new skills and technologies
• ADSL & Wireless Broadband availability with Fibre Optic cable connection proposed as part of the Government Metropolitan Area Networks programme
• Highly competitive costs
• Initiating Tourism Development

As part of BACD's ongoing development program, during the 3rd quater of 2004 the final 30% of rentable space is due to become available. Bookings are already taken, don't miss out if you have plans to launch a new Enterprise during the later part of 2004 contact William to get your allocation.

This Company is the community's response to tackling the job creation deficit. The first main project has been the acquisition of the St. Enda's Hospital building and its refurbishment and conversion into an Enterprise Center. To date, 14,000 square feet of the building has been leased. There are a number of tenants, ESIP being the largest, a telecentre as well as a number of smaller enterprises. This has resulted in the creation of over 80 new jobs. It is an objective of the Company that over 300 people will be employed in the Enterprise Center within a two year period. Incubation Units and Mentoring services are also available to support start-up enterprise. Coming shortly - B.A.C.D. are working with Last Mile of Athlone http://www.lastmile.ie who were recently awarded the 3.5 GHz wireless license for the Ballinasloe & East Galway region. B.A.C.D. plan to implement a broadband internet connection capability considerably faster than currently available in the greater Ballinasloe area from existing suppliers.

It is ten years ago that the idea for the enterprise Centre first began when the then president of the Chamber of Commerce Terry Noone along with Chamber director Gerry Cleary began working on a number of projects. On the agenda in 1994 was the opening of the first Chamber Office, the location of the Ballinasloe Marina and the feasibility of an Enterprise Centre for the town of Ballinasloe. After visiting a number of Enterprise Centres at Tuam, Kiltimagh, Ardee and Mullingar the Chamber then approached Galway Co. Council in relation to a suitable site for purpose built units which they had identified in Poolboy. Members of the Chamber later approached Forbairt for advice and financial assistance, and it was at that stage they were advised of the impending sale of the WHB building at St Enda's.

With the idea gathering momentum the Chamber sought the involvement of the Ballinasloe Community and in 1997 BACD Ltd was established as a joint initiative of the Chamber of Commerce, the Town Council, Ballinasloe Credit Union and Creagh Community Development Council. The fundamental aim of BACD was to help the economic development of the Town and the creation of sustainable local employment for Ballinasloe.

Gerry Bruen became the first chairman of BACD, followed by Martin Halliday and the present chairman is Michael Staunton. Colm Croffey has been Secretary since the formation of the Company, and was heavily involved in forming and attaining charitable status for BACD.

After prolonged negotiations the purchase of St Enda's was completed in 1997 and plans were drawn up in early 1998 for the new Enterprise Centre. With the support of Ballinasloe Credit Union, Ballinasloe Town Council, Bank of Ireland and a lot of goodwill from suppliers and contractors the refurbishment and conversion of the Enterprise Centre began.

In June 1999 BACD signed up their first tenant English Sports Information Processing, ESIP, a telewagering US owned company who currently employ 60 staff. In 2000 Michael Bradley and his Company ADS, who produce specialised perspex signs, became the first local tenant and currently employ seven staff.

Other tenants now at the centre include Tiny Tots Cr?che and Montessori, EMC, Electrical Mechanical Controls, Creagh Management Partners. a business development company, AOIFE, The Association of Irish Festival Events, KLM Electrical Services and ESS Engineering and Support Services. Earlier this year two new telecommunications companies, Talk Partners and Deisecom, became the newest tenants when they set up their headquarters at the Centre.

Encouraged by the success of the centre, BACD are now discussing plans to compliment the current centre with a phase two development. It is hoped that this will enable existing tenants grow and create further sustainable local employment for Ballinasloe.

For an update on B.A.C.D.'s activities information can be found on their web site http://www.ballinasloe-enterprise.com/.