Laois County Council has agreed to sell a parcel of land to a Kildare company for €966,000.
The agreement was reached at this morning’s monthly meeting of Laois County Council.
The sale relates to 3.75 hectares of land at J17 National Enterprise Park, Togher in Portlaoise to BNL Sciences Ltd.
They are a supplier of quality raw materials to the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Industry based in Naas.
Their philosophy is to provide customers with the highest level of service and to offer the best products available for their research and manufacturing requirements.
The proposal was put forward by Independent Councillor James Kelly and Fine Gael’s Thomasina Connell.
The sale now brings to an end Laois County Council’s interest in the site as all of the land they owned has been sold.
Alpha Drivers, Glanbia Cheese, Supermacs, Aubren, Midlands Steel, Kirby Group Engineering, Allwood Arch Joinery and Zeitgeist Spirits all have operations there.
According to Chief Executive John Mulholland, a total of 550 people will now be employed in the Business Park.
Councillor Willie Aird expressed his disappointment that the final piece of land had not gone to a Laois company.
He said: “I know there is a process but I am disappointed that we didn’t get another Laois business in there.
“However, I know want us to meet with the IDA and examine where we could get other pieces of land to further develop.
“I want to say that this project has made Portlaoise and is fantastic. It has opened up the whole town.”
Councillors Thomasina Connell, John Joe Fennelly, Noel Tuohy and James Kelly all agreed with Councillor Aird’s call to explore further developments.
Chief Executive John Mulholland said: “This is a very good story and one that began in 2017.
“When all companies are fully operational, around 550 people will be employed.
“I agree with the Councillors that we should explore further opportunities – not just in Portlaoise but in areas like Graiguecullen and Portarlington.
“In terms of extra revenue to the Council, it is probably worth €500,000. It is estimated that €20 million comes into the county in terms of what will be spent by people which all feeds into the exchequer.
“I think there is ample scope for IDA to turn over a new leaf and look at further opportunities in light that all we have achieved.”
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