Turning the sod on the new Rhode Business Park

The sod for the new Rhode Business Park in Co. Offaly was turned recently by An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen TD. Attending also was the Cathaoirleach Comharile Chontae Uibh Fhaili, Barry Cowen and members of the board of North Offaly Development Fund. The business park will be on the site of the former Rhode ESB Power Station.

Mr Cowen spoke of his delight on the turning of the sod as a new chapter in the economic development of the North Offaly area. He said "the closure of the ESB Power Station could have been an irreversible blow to the local economy, but with today's sod turning, and the development that we will see over the coming months, we can now be sure that this site will continue to be the source of employment in the Rhode area".

The Taoiseach paid tribute to the local community, the members of the Board of North Offaly Development Fund and the ESB for their fierce determination in responding to difficult economic circumstances. He said "it was ESB who provided the Enterprise and Community support funding which is being managed very successfully by North Offaly Development Fund". He commended the ESB for its role in progressing this project and in encouraging social and economic development in the area.

Mr Cowen also spoke of ESB and its long history of involvement with the community of Offaly and said it is clear the company takes its role as an integral partner in the community very seriously. "It is a source of great satisfaction that the Business Park we are celebrating will be on the actual site of the former power station which was situated in the centre of Ireland," he stated. The Park will be completed in the Spring of 2009.