Kildare Co Council wins at Excellence in Local Government Awards
Ian Talbot, CEO Chambers Ireland; Derek McCormack, Kildare County Council; Councillor Carmel Kelly, Cathaoirleach of the County of Kildare; Kieran O’Donnell, T.D., Minister of State; Jacqui McNabb, Head of Economic Development Enterprise, Retail and Tourism; Representative from the Award Sponsors; Paul Murtagh, Chairman of CKCN and Chris Fogarty, Kildare County Council.
KILDARE County Council recently won an award for ‘Promoting Economic Development’ at the Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards 2025 on 27 November, for its innovative K-Hub Strategy, which has delivered remote working, enterprise and innovation hubs across the county.
Launched in 2020, the K-Hub Strategy is a visionary initiative designed to foster partnership, entrepreneurship and decentralised enterprise support. By establishing a network of cluster hubs, the strategy drives economic growth and strengthens collaboration between businesses, education providers and communities across key sectors including advanced manufacturing, technology, agri-food, and the green economy.
These purpose built innovation hubs are equipped to meet sector-specific business supports provided by Kildare County Council’s Local Enterprise Office. The hubs champion remote working, sustainability, inclusion, and job creation.
By working closely with the business community, the strategy complements nine existing privately owned mixed-use hubs, further enhancing the overall enterprise ecosystem in Kildare.
Hubs are located in locations like Athy, Kildare, Ballymore Eustace, Newbridge, Rathangan, Naas, Allenwood, Clane and Maynooth.
Supported by statutory agencies, local communities, and private partners, the initiative will continue to evolve through 2027. By aligning infrastructure and innovation with local needs, the K-Hub Strategy positions Kildare as a national leader in place-based economic development, offering a replicable model for how local government can drive sustainable and inclusive prosperity.
Jacqui McNabb, Head of Enterprise at Kildare County Council, commented:
“Winning this award is a tremendous recognition of the collaborative spirit that drives the K-Hub Strategy. It reflects the commitment of our partners and communities to create an inclusive, innovative, and sustainable enterprise ecosystem. This achievement reinforces Kildare’s position as a leader in economic development and inspires us to continue building opportunities for businesses and people across the county.”
