The groundbreaking BIA Innovator food and drink research campus in Athenry has been awarded €2.5 million in funding.
The BIA Innovator Campus is run by Teagasc with partnerships including Galway County Council, Athenry Community Council, the GRETB, Western Development Commission and SCCUL.
Its goal is to address a need for food entrepreneurship in the west by providing a space for food innovation and training, along with supporting emerging culinary businesses.
Minister for Business and Enterprise Heather Humphreys and Galway West TD Seán Kyne announced the funding under the Regional Enterprise Development Fund.
The multi million funding is part of the Regional Enterprise Development Fund that Minister Humphreys unveiled in Galway this week.
Minister Humphreys said, “This ‘BIA Innovator’ project is an exciting development for Athenry and will result in a step-change in the food entrepreneurship landscape in the West of Ireland.”
The Minister added her congratulations to all the partners involved in securing investment from the Regional Development Fund.
“Particularly Galway County Council and Teagasc, who are demonstrating the benefits of local collaboration for the betterment of this region,” she said.
Councillor Peter Feeney, Chair of the BIA Innovator campus said this project will address challenges facing the food sector by providing essential supports.
“The project could not have been achieved without the hard work and input from the co-founders Galway County Council & Teagasc, many stakeholders and the EI Regional Enterprise Development Fund.”
“This is an excellent example of how collaborative working adds value in achieving shared objectives,” councillor Feeney added.
“We look forward to moving on to the delivery stage and in creating key jobs for the West of Ireland.”
photo: Galway County Council/Twitter
