Building is under way on Athenry’s multi-million euro BIA Innovator food science campus.
Galway East TD and Minister for Rural Affairs Seán Canney said: “I visited the site this week and I am delighted to see that construction has begun.
“The BIA Innovator is a huge project for Athenry which is expected to create 360 jobs and 2,400 training places in 40 new businesses within its first three years of operation.
“This is a major employment initiative, which has been supported with a €3.6 million grant from my Department, the Department of Rural and Community Development, under the Rural Regeneration Fund.
“The BIA Innovator will make Athenry a global leader for food innovation and is part of a master plan for the town to reach its full potential as a major centre for food and tourism.
“I have been working closely with all the stakeholders throughout the process to ensure the project is brought to fruition as quickly as possible and I am delighted that it is moving ahead.
“Construction on the 24,000 sq ft centre will be carried out by Galway-based Glenman Corporation Ltd. It is expected to take 12 months to complete.”

NOTES FOR EDITORS
The BIA Innovator will create 40 companies with 360 jobs and 2,400 training places.
The campus will be a 24,000 sq ft centre for start-up food businesses and entrepreneurs.
The campus will have four key components:
• BIA Obair will have 12 food-grade specialist production units;
• BIA Accelerate will include a Business Engagement Zone, a Business Information Centre and a Demonstration and Training Area, all aimed at supporting food businesses to grow and scale;
• Bord Eolas will be a dedicated learning environment aimed at providing specialist programmes for all those working in the food industry and will include a large demonstration kitchen and a Culinary Training Centre; and
• BIA Blas will provide a showcase for new product development, while delivering a fast network for trade buyers, suppliers and investors.
For more information, contact Minister Canney on 086-2513639
January 21 2020