Two locations in mix for new Cavan Digital Hub

A delay in detailing how the planned Digital Hub for Cavan will be sustainably funded is understood to be a key sticking point over which of two proposed locations will be chosen.

They include the 'Tower' at the Kilmore Retail Park and Cavan Innovation & Technology Centre (CITC) – both locations capable of taking advantage of connection to SIRO’s 1 GB broadband network.
Almost €500,000 has been allocated to developing the Digital Hub to date, yet the finer details of Enterprise Ireland's commitment to the project still remain unknown.
But Director of Services at Cavan Council Eoin Doyle told elected members at their recent monthly meeting that a decision was imminent and, once clarified, it would “speed up” the process as to which site is set to be chosen.
A spokesperson for the council further confirmed that the Chief Executive has “committed to meeting with the elected members in the near future” to discuss the issues surrounding the proposed Digital Hub.
Describing its establishment as a “significant corporate objective” for the Council, Mr Doyle had indicated favour was with siding with one specific site over the other, but EI's engagement could ultimately swing that.
Once further information on EI's guarantee is available, the Council would then approach elected members to provide them with a cost-benefit analysis in relation to the two proposed sites. 
The new Digital hub will provide a space for entrepreneurs and businesses to work, contributing to job creation in the county, while also providing work space closer to home for tech employees living locally through 'hot-desking' on site.
Funding for the project to date has come from the Rural Economic Development Zone scheme and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
The matter was seized upon by local Fine Gael Councillor Val Smith, who reacted furiously during a discussion on bringing jobs into the county, stating openly that the delay in establishing the Hub only served to add to the brain-drain from the county.
“It's a joke,” he lambasted, warning that further indecision could lead to companies to have already expressed an interest in positioning themselves within the Hub could consider locating elsewhere.
“That's the last thing we want,” Cllr Smith said.