This article is from page 2 of the 2011-09-06 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
THE announcement of 35 new jobs for Gort could be the first in a series of jobs announcements for the locality, according to the local Chamber of Commerce.
US-based company CareFusion are to add 35 new full-time positions to their medical equipment manufacturing centre in Gort before the end of the year. This company currently employs 90 full-time and 15 contract workers and the latest jobs announcement will swell their number to just under 150 workers.
According to Chamber of Commerce spokesperson and local councillor Gerry Finnerty (FF), this investment proves that the infrastructure is now in place in Gort to cater for large-scale factories and investment. Over the past 12 months, Gort has seen the completion of the Gort/Crusheen bypass, which gives the town motorway access to Shannon Airport, and the local water and sewerage scheme.
“It isn’t so much the number of new jobs. This is a vote of confidence for the area and an indication that we will certainly be able to hold onto the jobs which are already here. The size of this operation now shows that we have the infrastructure here in Gort to attract major companies,” he said.
“We now have the motorway and access to Shannon Airport, which is very important. And we have the new water system and good broadband, which is all very important for attracting business.”
The new jobs are also expected to have a large spin-off for other local businesses, with more money being spent in the locality by the increased factory workers.
CareFusion was established in Gort in 2006 with just 12 staff members. The company now employs more than 15,000 in more than 20 countries worldwide.
Since the Gort/Crusheen bypass opened 10 months ago, the retail sector in the town has seen an increase in trade with better access to the town and a reduction in congestion leading to more people chopping in the area.
A number of businesses in the hospitality sector have seen a reduction, however, with a lessening in the passing trade using local cafes, bars and hotels.