WICKLOW ENTERPRISE CENTRE

Following the severe impact caused by the closure of two major employer factories in Wicklow Town, and to encourage employment throughout the town and its environs, Wicklow Enterprise Park was set up in 1993 as a partnership between local businesses, voluntary groups, state agencies and local public representatives.

This spirit of community enterprise formed the creation of the Wicklow Enterprise Centre, which is located on the site of the former Celmac factory, one of the two which had closed a couple of years earlier.

The ethos of this Centre has always been to provide low-cost workspace to small and/or developing businesses to encourage entrepreneurship and result in job creation. Over the years Wicklow Enterprise Centre has seen over 790 full time jobs created by the various businesses operating here. The original building was 44,000 sq ft, however, due to demand for space, a further 20,000 sq ft was opened in Phase II in 2002. This provides high-spec technology accommodation, together with superior layout, comfortable interior design, and ample free car parking.

Phase III is now complete and consists of 11 new state-of-the-art office suites plus 2 designated training rooms, fully-equipped with projectors, A/V facilities, and high speed wired/wireless broadband.

Wicklow Enterprise Centre is a not-for-profit company that holds charitable status, and the directors receive no remuneration. A multiple award-winner, it is a model for Enterprise Centres everywhere and is an excellent example of how working together can improve the necessary infrastructure to provide new job opportunities.