Report: Ludgate creating millions
The Ludgate Hub in Skibbereen generates over €4.2 million for the local economy and has created 54 new jobs directly and 38 indirectly, a new report revealed this week.
The study, which was carried out by economist Jim Power, and commissioned by Vodafone Ireland, was undertaken to assess how smart working, like flexible or remote working from home or a hub, can help rural communities thrive in a meaningful way.
A quantitative analysis of job creation, talent migration, economic activity and outputs of the businesses that operate in six of Vodafone and SIRO’s digital hubs provides insight into the potential socio-economic benefits smart working practices could have, if replicated nationally in every county.
The Ludgate digital hub is home to 21 businesses with net wages of €2.81m – generating €0.71 million in taxes. Oliver Farrell, Chairman, Vilicom, Skibbereen, said: “The hub has facilitated the employment of more people within the town. We are now able to make our life and employment within the town and we bring our families with us so there are more children in the schools.”
Wendy Wilde, Xsellco, Skibbereen said: “We employ young, local people, they’ve stayed in Skibbereen, they’re bringing their skills, their salary and everything else. They stay in the local area and they don’t have to move to Dublin or Cork to get a good quality career.”
The hubs assessed in the study included Ludgate and hubs in Drogheda, Kilkenny, Tralee, Dundalk, and Carlow.
According to the report, at a national level, if a digital hub was established in every county, the potential to make a very significant economic, social and financial contribution across the country is very real.
Author of the report, economist Jim Power, said: “In a world where issues such as climate change, congestion, more balanced regional economic growth and development, and quality of life are becoming increasingly important and topical, the contribution that remote working will make to addressing these problems is very significant.
“With proper connectivity, there is no reason why remote working cannot grow in significance. This will benefit local economies, the environment and the wellbeing of employees and business owners. It is an unambiguous win-win situation.”