Business park to provide more than 4,000 jobs

A NEW business park being built in Shannon will provide more than 4,000 jobs within the next three years, it was announced yesterday.

Westpark, a €200 million 40-acre development, near Shannon, has already taken in its first companies.

When work is completed, the park will consist of seven office blocks totalling one million square feet.

The campus will also offer lifestyle facilities including a health and fitness centre, bistro, medical facility and convenience store.

A spokeswoman for Westpark said yesterday: “Our first tenants, international e-commerce firm Digital River, have taken up occupancy as have Limerick-based risk management company LinkresQ and Genesis. Schwarz Pharma have announced occupancy of one full building. Other new international tenant announcements are imminent.”

Westpark has invested over €2m in IT infrastructure. This includes the design and construction of a bespoke regional Data Centre Facility, which already incorporates a multi-tier telecoms infrastructure.

The spokeswoman said: “This is a vital aspect to attracting knowledge-sensitive companies to the campus. The on-site Telecoms house will offer tenants a multiple choice of local and international telecommunications carriers and a future-proofed and secure infrastructure.

“The business park and its tenants will be connected to several tier one international telecommunications networks, strategically positioning Westpark Shannon as a major global business gateway between the US and Europe.”

Westpark has signed a ground-breaking agreement with ESB Telecoms that connects the campus to ESB Telecoms’ National Fibre Network and offers tenants a “carrier neutral” service offering for telecoms and broadband.

Tenants can choose from ESB Telecom, BT/ESAT, DigiWeb, Eircom, Magnet or Verizon.

Westpark will employ 4,000 people. Phase two is due for completion next December and Phase three in March 2008.

Office suites from 5,000 square feet up to 50,000 square feet are on offer in building three of the development.&

Varying accommodation options are being offered and customer call centre type offices start at €12.50 per square foot, with grade A corporate suites available from €18.

Irish Examiner