Sligo Witnessing Unprecedented Investment
Ireland’s new hub for innovation?
Sligo is not only a stunning location for tourism, but also a highly practical destination for business, with attractive incentives, high levels of infrastructure, and the ambition to become a ‘smart city.’
What is Sligo’s track record for attracting multinationals?
Sligo has an established track record of being an excellent location for business, and has attracted many multinational companies including Abbott, AbbVie, Overstock, GSK, among many more. We recently had 1,500 jobs announced in the region, and have 223 million euro of infrastructure projects on the horizon. We have not had this level of investment in decades, and Enterprise Ireland clients have increased their investments within the northwest by 9%. In addition, Sligo has nurtured vibrant clusters that are thriving and have capitalized on the region’s rich educational base, excellent road infrastructure, a strong rail network, and close proximity to three international airports. Sligo also has two deep seaports within a 90 minute drive.
With locations like Finisklin Business Park, a 131 acre park located just west of Sligo City center, there is plenty of room to grow. The park was established with all key international standards in place, and has the capacity to cater for the needs of multinational clients. Sligo’s Innovation Center provides the gateway for business and industry to access local expertise in IT Sligo.
What makes Sligo’s educational sector stand out?
Sligo is unique because it has two third level institutions. The Institute of Technology in Sligo (IT Sligo) is the largest higher level education institution in the northwest region, with over 6,000 students. It is on track to become a technical university, and this will feed Sligo’s plan to increasingly become a smart city. For example, the colleges have started a masters program in electrical engineering, and have teamed up with industry leader, Valeo, to develop automatic vehicle sensors for the autonomous vehicle industry. IT Sligo also delivers accredited training programs in biopharma operations and aseptic processing to well known industry leaders including Janssen, MSD and Eli Lilly.
How is Sligo developing itself as a smart city?
A multitude of entities are collaborating in Sligo to reach the united long term plan to become designated as a smart city. We are making Sligo 5G ready with blanket coverage. Sligo is upgrading its telecommunications network and installing a high end ICT fiberoptic where information can be gathered and used to better guide the future development across our region.
The multimillion euro town center redevelopment of the embankment buildings is becoming a fast landing cluster of spaces where startups and other companies can grow using the area`s 1G download and upload speeds. Sligo has attracted several leading IT companies such as, LiveTiles, e3 Retail, and Overstock, among others, and we seek to attract even more high level IT jobs to the region.
What draws employees to Sligo?
We are witnessing a relocation of professionals from main urban centers like Dublin to places like Sligo where the quality of life is high. Sligo has phenomenal professional jobs available, offers a good environment to raise a family, and hosts an array of after work and school activities.
What is Sligo’s tourism offering?
Sligo has rich traditions in literature, culture, arts, and music. The entire county is surrounded by beautiful scenery dripping with mythological history. It has gorgeous mountains, rivers and lakes. It is along the Wild Atlantic Way and has excellent mountain biking and hiking trails. Sligo has beautiful coastlines of 110 miles fronting the Atlantic Ocean, providing world class surfing. Also, there are a world renowned championship golf links, and the literary heritage of W.B. Yeats adds to the vibrance of Sligo City.