Commenting on the good news for Sligo with the sod-turning on the N4 and new jobs announcements by GW Plastics, Sligo Chamber President Conor McCarthy said:

“It was a truly a remarkable day for Sligo. We have been lobbying steadily to enable the blocks be put in place to allow Sligo grow and develop, working collaboratively with our partners in industry, the IDA , IT Sligo, the local authority, the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, the Western Development Commission and the Atlantic Economic Corridor.

“This is a vote of confidence in the region and a testimony to the hard work of all in promoting Sligo, including the team at Sligo Chamber. Today (Friday) saw the years of hard work and commitment delivered on the infrastructure front with the turning of the sod by the Taoiseach on both the €120 million N4 Castlebaldwin to Collooney road and the Western Distributor Road which will open up IDA lands at Oakfield for development. We also welcome the creation of over 200 jobs by GW Plastics at a new facility in the IDA Business Park, Finisklin.

“Since the launch of the National Development Plan in Sligo in February last year and the designation of Sligo as a Growth Centre, the Government has really helped put Sligo on the map in terms of attracting business interest.

“The GW Plastics announcement brings the total of new jobs announced since the launch of the National Development Plan to over 1,700 jobs for the region, 1,400 of which are in Sligo,” added Mr. McCarthy.