Jobs boost for Athy with new hub

ATHY is to get its second so-called Hub, after the news this week that Kildare Council has awarded almost €1m to transform the old Athy Christian Brothers School into a ‘Circular Economy Centre’.

An additional €709,314 has also been allocated to tailor a “bespoke training programme, focused on low-carbon, circular economy practices being delivered to those with limited employment opportunities”, according to local TD and Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon.

It is to be sited on the derelict former CBS site on St John’s Lane, however it could take up to 12 months to have the full refurb of the old building re-purposed.

“Jacqui Mc Nabb (Kildare LEO) is taking the lead on the process, and she’d hope to get it started in Q2 this year,” said Cllr Brian Dooley.

"It’s going to be known as Regen Tech and will be a Hub for the whole south east,” he said.

“One of its first tasks will be paint recycling,” he said.

“All unused paint cans dropped of a civic recycling centres across the region will be brought here fo re-distribution,” said Cllr Dooley.

Kildare County Council made the award of €998,802 under the Department of Rural and Community Development's Community Recognition Fund to revitalize the former CBS into a state-of-the-art Centre for Circular Economy and Regenerative Business Activity.

“This development is expected to foster sustainable business practices, local economic resilience, and create new opportunities for employment and training within the community” according to cllr Mark Leigh, one of many local representatives to welcome the news.

The project aims to support local businesses in transitioning to a circular economy.

“The project will transform the historic site into a hub for regenerative business activities by providing support and skills development for businesses committed to sustainability and circular economy principles,” he added.

The centre will also play a key role in providing skills-based training in areas such as recycling, repair, and waste reduction, while generating income through the sale of recycled goods. The venue will offer affordable rental space to local businesses, including Social Enterprise initiatives that aim to tackle social and economic inequalities.

The facility will cater to a wide range of local enterprises, including projects like Blueway bike maintenance and repair, alongside creating opportunities for shared training spaces and research into new sustainable technologies.

Jacqui McNabb, head of enterprise, economic development and tourism for Kildare County Council, expressed her delight at the funding award.

“Small-to-medium enterprises and local community organisations are the lifeblood of our county, creating jobs, diversifying the economy, and fostering innovation,” she said.

“This funding will not only help us respond to Ireland’s shift to a low-carbon economy but will also deliver significant economic and social benefits at the local level.” 

The centre will operate as a social enterprise, creating local employment opportunities and supporting the management and operation of the facility, as well as the delivery of training programs tailored to meet the needs of the community.

Site rubbish has already been cleaned away earlier this week in preparation for this.

“This is some great news today,” said Cllr Mark Leigh, “and this is great to see the funding allocated and delighted to be a Director with Innovate Kildare,” he added.

““Ireland’s EU Just Transition Fund programme is targeted at the wider Midlands region as it transitions away from peat extraction for energy use, and the selected projects in Kildare will aid these communities, and the country, on a path to a lower carbon-future,” said Minister Heydon.

“The Kildare projects approved for funding today, will see significant benefits delivered to the region, and this funding will allow people to be trained in the jobs of the future in Athy,” he said.

“Great news for Athy with the allocation of €998,552 to refurbish the vacant secondary school building to become a regenerative economic hub,” said Senator Fiona O’Loughlin.