APC Bosses Told To 'Come Clean'
9 October 1996
Chamber chief demands truth on jobs start-up
By Tom Gillespie Castlebar's commercial sector has issued an ultimatum to the American Power Conversion Corporation (APC) to 'come clean' with their plans to establish up to 200 jobs in the county town.
The company, who produce uninterruptable power supply units for computers, indicated last May that equipment would be moved into the IDA's 75,000 sq ft vacant complex adjacent to Baxter on the Breaffy Road in August, to allow the start-up of operations.
The initial announcement of the jobs boom was made last November, amid a glare of publicity, with a start-up date for the Spring of '96. However, no firm moves have been made on the development despite a response form over 1,000 applicants seeking employment at the plant. Tourism and Trade Minister Enda Kenny, who is spearheading the project, has constantly stated there was no hic-up in APC's plans to come to Castlebar.
Now Castlebar Chamber of Commerce want all the cards put on the table so that they know APC are serious about the move to the town. Newly elected Chamber President, Mr. Frank Greene, installed at the organisations annual general meeting on Monday night, said they fully backed the moves by Minister Kenny to get the APC jobs off the ground. He said he knew the Minister and the Government were serious in their efforts to get the plant established in Castlebar.
Mr. Greene, who is the AIB Bank branch manager in Castlebar, said: "The clear message from the chamber is that we fully support APC's plans to open a base here.
"But we have to know as soon as possible what their intentions are. If they are negative we want to know sooner.
"Let us know your intentions", he pleaded. "There is nothing to stop you starting up in Castlebar. The facility is in place and there is a ready workforce available.
"We want people to be straight with us. If they are not coming let us know so that alternative arrangements can be made to attract another industry to the town."
The Chamber of commerce reviewed a very successful year. The following officers were elected for the coming year. President: Mr. Frank Greene; Vice-President: Mr. Pat Jennings; Secretary: Mr. Pat Murray; Treasurer: Mr. Ronan Carbury; PRO: Mr. Tom Gillespie; Chamber Accreditation: Mr. John Healy.
Sub-committee chairpersons: Tidy Towns - Joe Butler; Tourism - Ann Staunton; Social - Tom Joyce; Christmas lights - Oliver Kelleher; Industrial - Seamus Cashin and Membership- Maria Quinn.
Connaught Telegraph - News - October 1996
Connaught Telegraph - Sport - October 1996
