US trade centre earmarked for county town site

A TOWN centre building in Castlebar has been earmarked as the most suitable location for a trade centre promoting business between Mayo and the United States.

Work is expected to begin over the coming weeks in preparing the facility as retail and industrial links with Rhode Island are being stepped up.

It is understood Burleigh House at Ellison Street is one of the buildings under consideration for the proposal.

Mayo County Council’s enterprise and investment unit has already opened a unit in the US state to help create an avenue for exporters throughout the county.

A trade delegation from Mayo is expected to travel to Rhode Island in September to further promote the unique cross-atlantic partnership that is already bearing fruit.

In the meantime, however, a similar centre for Rhode Island commercial interests is being established in Castlebar to assist them in breaking into the Irish and European markets.

The move is considered a major coup among those involved in promoting Mayo business and is certain to lead to the creation of additional jobs in the years ahead.

The fact that US investors are being successfully directed towards the west rather than the east of the country is also regarded as significant.

Meanwhile, speculation continues to grow in regard to the establishment of a major steel-related plant in Castlebar.

However, efforts to secure confirmation on the matter have proved unsuccessful to date.