Longford Enterprise and Energy Centre

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Co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund

 

Longford Enterprise and Energy Centre

A Landmark for Business, Tourism, and Climate Action

 

Longford Enterprise and Energy Centre is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union's Just Transition Fund Programme 2021-2027.

In April 2024, Longford County Council was awarded €793,822 under the EU Just Transition Fund (JTF) programme to develop Longford Enterprise and Energy Centre. 

About the Project

Longford County Council will acquire and refurbish a distinctive terraced, three-storey red brick building (c.1894) in Longford Town. Formerly a post office and museum and vacant for a long number of years, this landmark will be transformed into a modern hub while preserving its historic character.

 

Key Features:

  1. Co-working Space
    Longford’s first dedicated co-working hub, offering a professional alternative for commuters, remote workers and freelancers.
  1. County Tourism Office
    Relocating the Tourism Office to a prime town-centre location to better serve visitors and locals. It will act as a hub for events, festivals and new tourism initiatives, driving sustainable tourism growth in Longford and the Midlands.
  2. Training & Education Supporting climate action through two streams:
  • Climate Education Modules: Expert-led modules on climate science, biodiversity, resilience and sustainable lifestyles.
  • Accredited Courses: In partnership with educational organisations, the provision of accredited programmes such as Residential Retrofit and Community Energy Development creating pathways to green careers.
  1. Green Economy Cluster A business network managed by the Local Enterprise Office to connect green economy firms with skilled talent from the Hub’s training programmes.
  2. Energy Resource Hub A dedicated space offering impartial advice on energy upgrades, retrofitting and renewables.
  3. Support Services

The centre will facilitate a more co-ordinated approach to support services such as those offered by the enterprise and community-based support agencies. It will provide a central hub in Longford Town for agencies around Longford to deliver training and other support interventions to their different client bases.

 

Target Groups

The Centre will support:

  1. Former peat workers to access appropriate training and keep abreast of areas of opportunity that might exist for persons seeking new or alternative employment.
  2. Climate change/circular economy training programmes to prepare potential employees for future opportunities in this space
  3. Access to affordable office accommodation for new businesses or expanding knowledge-based enterprises.
  4. Individuals seeking independent advice on energy upgrades/retrofitting
  5. Remote Workers, hot-deskers and those companies that want to accommodate rural based workers by having out-reach offices available to have a Longford Town base.
  6. Disadvantaged and minority communities, including new communities.

 

Regeneration

A determining factor in this project is the opportunity to bring a landmark building back into productive use, supporting the regeneration efforts of the local authority and bringing important social functions into the heart of the town.

 

Find out more about the EU Just Transition Fundhere: www.emra.ie/eu-jtf/

Find out more about EU funding here: www.eufunds.ie