The investment has transformed a derelict 200-year-old church into a 10,000 sq ft innovation, R&D and science centre.
Future Cast, an Innovation, education and R&D non-profit focused on the construction and quarrying industries, has invested 3.25m into developing a 200-year old church into a 10,000 sq ft centre for innovation, R&D and science.
The funds will also enable the creation of 15 new jobs over the coming years, with opportunities for jobseekers in concrete and material science, machine design, prototype development and specialist training.
The former St Clare’s Hall church in the town has been redeveloped into a ‘state-of-the-art’ facility featuring a geological material science laboratory, prototype-building and machine-development spaces, facilities for green skills training and a 3D concrete printer.
The centre, which was supported by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment under the Border Enterprise Development Fund administered by Enterprise Ireland, will provide companies and designers with access to space, technical expertise and equipment, as well as opportunities to develop ideas, build prototypes and progress R&D projects.
