US firmÕs 50 new jobs Ôa vote of confidenceÕ in Galway

BY ENDA CUNNINGHAM

Fifty new jobs are to be created in the city, following a decision by a US-based market research company to locate their new European headquarters here.

Recruitment has already begun for the jobs, which will be created over the next five years, and will be in the areas of research, sales and administration.

Announcing the decision by Industrial Info Resources (IIR) to open a base in Ballybrit Business Park, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O’Keeffe, said it will provide a significant boost for the local economy and is a ‘vote of confidence’ in Galway.

Based in Texas, IIR was established in 1983, and carries out in-depth market research for heavy manufacturing and energy-related industries around the world.

The new headquarters in Galway will develop databases on industrial markets across Europe.

Mayor of Galway, Michael Crowe said: “Galway, despite recession, has a real pull factor and I think it’s the combination of talent, technology, tax and the ease of doing business here.”

He added: “One critical area we are especially proud of is our two third level educational colleges – NUIG and the Galway Mayo Institute of Technology. They are producing the highest calibre graduates across a wide range of disciplines.

“We will continue to work with the Government and the IDA to ensure that Galway continues to be an attractive place, to be the location of choice for new investment,” said the Mayor.

Ed Lewis, the President of IIR, said: “Galway is an ideal location to grow our operations to better service our customers throughout Europe. We are confident that the skills we require are readily available in Ireland for the long-term success of our European operations.”

Minister O'Keeffe described the announcement as “another significant foreign direct investment win for Galway”.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.