Progress made with Nenagh jobs
Progress is being made with the development of a facility where 300 jobs are to be created in Nenagh.
Contracts were signed last Friday for the acquisition of the Stereame building where US-based company First Data is to establish a research and development facility. And tenders are now being invited for the expansion, refurbishment and fit-out of the building with a view to making it operational next year.
Local estate agent Eoin Dillon handled the sale of the Stereame building, in which he said there had been intense interest over the last two years.
And Acting Minister Alan Kelly, who met with First Data's CEO in New York last weekend, said the company will soon begin a process to staff its new Nenagh operation.
IDA Ireland has purchased the vacant building, which was constructed by the Stereame Commercial Partnership in 2006. It is understood that the purchase price was in the region of €1 million but that First Data will long-term lease the building and invest tens of millions in its R&D centre.
The IDA is inviting tenders for the refurbishment and expansion of the building. The project is described as the internal and external refurbishment of an existing 35,000 sq ft office building, which was constructed to shell and core standard to facilitate the potential sub-letting of six separate office spaces within a three-storey structure.
Among the works required are roof repairs and fit-out of the building. Windows and doors need to be replaced.
A large front glazing façade is to be erected to the front of the building. Further requirements include the construction of a new c 180 sq m two-storey plant room. An existing eight-person (630kg) lift is to be retained but repair works are necessary to make it functional.
Among other work envisaged is the upgrading of the existing car park, including new surfacing and line marking. It is anticipated that the works will require a six-month construction timeframe.
Minister Kelly said people can expect to see activity taking place on the site very soon. He said he was delighted to have played a part in securing the IDA contract for the Stereame building and welcomed the progression towards tender and planning stage.
The Nenagh based acting minister was in New York and New Jersey last weekend for another meeting with First Data CEO Frank Bisignano and CAO Tom Higgins. He said the company's plan to set up in Nenagh is moving at a “rapid pace” and confirmed that First Data is on target to be up and running in here in the first quarter of 2017.
Having also met with the company's coordination team for Nenagh, Minister Kelly revealed that an online presence would soon be established whereby people interested in working with First Data could find information about the roles available. Minister Kelly said the roles would constitute “high-end jobs”, which he said would be very attractive to people looking for the quality of life that the Nenagh area has to offer.
Welcoming the creation of 300 jobs in Nenagh, Minister Kelly again expressed the view that the local operation would grow even larger in future as First Data develops its range of services and products.
“They have given me a very strong indication that they would like to see Nenagh as their European centre of excellence,” he said.
Minister Kelly added that First Data's senior management have been very impressed with everything they've seen in Nenagh, including its infrastructure, and also the third level institutions in Limerick. They were hugely complimentary of CEO Joe MacGrath and Tipperary Co Council.
Minister Kelly said another forum involving First Data and the local community would be organised in the near future.