Leitrim councillor urges Innovation Centre in Kinlough Redevelopment Plan

Leitrim County Council is collaborating with the Kinlough community to redevelop the vacant Kerr building on Barrack Street, with Cllr Justin Warnock calling for the inclusion of an Innovation Centre in the plans to address youth "brain drain" and create opportunities for start-ups. 

Cllr Warnock has been a strong advocate for enhanced infrastructure, facilities, and regeneration in the north Leitrim village. 

At the Council’s November meeting, he proposed conducting an online survey, in partnership with Comhairle na nÓg, to ask Leaving Cert students of 2025 about their intentions to return to Leitrim after completing their education. 

The initiative aims to address what he described as a "brain drain" of young, educated people leaving the area.

At Monday’s meeting of Manorhamilton Municipal District, Cllr Warnock asked the Economic Development Department to consider an Innovation Centre as part of the Rural Regeneration and Development Funding (RRDF) plan.

North Leitrim abandoned: Call for development in Kinlough and Tullaghan

Cllr Justin Warnock expressed disappointment at the lack of investment and infrastructure in north Leitrim, particularly in Kinlough and Tullaghan.

“Kinlough and its environs are proud to boast a young population, but unfortunately from a recent study carried out, most of our youth see no future in Kinlough as there are no employment opportunities for them here. 

“I ask Leitrim County Council's Economic Development Department, as part of the RRDF being sought for our town to consider an Innovation Centre as part of this plan,” said Cllr Warnock, citing it as an “incubator for start-ups,” such as e-commerce and tourism.

A reply from Economic Development explained that a business case for the redevelopment of the Kerr building is being finalised, but initial consultations have not identified an innovation space for e-commerce or tourism startups as a key community need.

The reply further described that since Kinlough already has a working hub which offers office spaces and a meeting room, the addition of an innovation centre lacks supporting data to justify its inclusion in the funding application.

“The merits of the inclusion of an Innovation centre as part of the proposed future application should therefore be discussed by the community team at the next meeting," the reply concluded.

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