A new high tech era for Arklow with Data Centre development at Avoca River Park – Pat Casey TD
– “over €500 million investment the biggest jobs investment in Wicklow” –
– Echelon Directors thank Pat Casey TD for his work and support for this project –
– Over 500 jobs in construction and roll out phase –
Wicklow Fianna Fáil Pat Casey TD has welcomed the news that planning permission is imminent for a major data centre project at Avoca River Park in Arklow.
At today’s launch of Echelon Data Centres for Clondalking and Avoca which was hosted by Minister Heather Humphries, Echelon Directors singled out Deputy Casey and thanked him publicly for his long time work and support for this exciting new era for business in Arklow and South Wicklow.
“This is the beginning of new era for Arklow and a game changer for jobs development in Arklow and indeed the South Wicklow region. For years the old IFI site at Avoca River Park has been a metaphor for failed industrial development in Arklow.
One of my top priorities for Arklow and the South Wicklow region was locally based jobs development.”
“I have been working on this project with Crag Digital now Echelon for the past sixteen months. The initial investment is over €500 million and will transform this brown field site into a major data centre with 100 mega watts of capacity in phase 1 which will in turn attract industries in the valuable technology and software sectors”
“Apart from the 450 construction jobs that will be needed for the substantial redevelopment of the site, the data centre will in turn initially employ 90 high skilled jobs and will in the future become a hub for a business park which is the model that US data centres have evolved into. Tech companies prefer to locate adjacent to these data centres and therefore the potential for not only Arklow but the South Wicklow region is very exciting.”
“The old IFI site which began construction in the 1960’s and at its height in the 1970’s employed over 1500 people, eventually closed in 2000 and has been a symbol of the lack of regional job
growth not just in Arklow but in South Wicklow. This is the dream industry to be located at this site as there are limitations as to the type of development that can take place here and there are crucial infrastructural benefits such as grid connection and its location near the N11 only an hours drive from the Airport.”
“This development by Crag Digital/Echelon is the beginning of a new era of industrial developmentand jobs for Arklow and I am delighted to have been of assistance in getting this project to this
crucial state. I will continue to work closely with this company, the IDA and Wicklow County Council to ensure that this project proceeds through planning and into construction. This is one of the
reasons why I entered national politics and I am determined to see this project benefit jobs and
commercial activity not just in Arklow but the entire South Wicklow region.”
