Editorial
7 May 1997
THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE
The announcement by Tourism and Trade Minister Enda Kenny of the designation of Knock International Airport as an industrial tax-free zone has to be seen for what it is -- one of the most significant developments ever to be sanctioned for Mayo and the West of Ireland.
Since 1949 Shannon Airport has enjoyed such status, the results of which are evident. But now it is the time for Knock to blossom.
The 'Black Triangle' suddenly becomes the 'Golden Circle' as plans are formulated to transform the area into a booming industrial and commercial base.
The tax incentives available at Knock will include accelerated capital allowances, double rent deductions, rates relief and an extension of the 10% Corporation Tax to specified sectors.
The package was put into effcet by way of an amendment to the Finance bill which has completed its passage through the Dail. The US company Alliance International, which is closely identified with the multi-billionaire Ross Perot are part of the Knock project. They will develop freight facilities at the Mayo base which will make Knock the hub for their European operations.
Mr Kenny has, since taking up ministerial office three years ago, shown a keen and personal interest in the development of Knock .
He has kept in close contact with the Airport Board of Directors and their business consultant, former Mayo County Development Officer, Sean Smyth, and has listened to their pleas for recognition as a force for developing the West.
Now he has delivered
The significance of this announcement will be judged in the numbers of jobs that are created in the years ahead. We have no doubt at all but that they will materialise as Minister Kenny has spent long and valuable hours of negotiations with the Ross Perot executives hammering out a deal which will see the landscape of Knock Airport transformed into a Mecca for jobs.
The many media leaks about the Knock tax-free zone did not help the Minister in his final negotiations. But despite this he received Cabinet backing for the project which will certainly do more that any other incentive to date to save the depopulation of this long neglected area of Mayo.
The Airport Board too, have given due recognition to Minister Kenny and his Government colleagues for pulling off this coup.
Previous representations to Fianna Fail fell on deaf ears. It can only be described as a 'spoiler' the announcement by Fianna Fail on the eve of the designation that, if returned to power, they would fully develop the Knock dream.
They had their opportunity and they did not avail of it. So it is a bit late in the day for them to seek any credit for this initiative.
The resulting impact on the entire region will be mammoth. Areas such as Charlestown, Swinford , Kilkelly , Knock, Kiltimagh and Swinford will become vibrant locations.
In order to facilitate the Knock Airport development which will comprise initially of a 200 acre industrial park, the necessary infrastructure -- roads, water and sewerage will have to be laid on by Mayo County Council. This in itself will make the location ready for any industrial influx and Mayo County Council are fully committed to the ambitious plan.
As what is known of Alliance, the Texas based conglomerate who will spearhead the metamorphous of Knock Airport. The company developed a 7,500-acre, master-planned international business and transportation project located 15 miles northwest of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Its on-site multimodal transportation system of air, rail and highway provide efficient and economic choices for moving products and goods throughout North America and the world.
Some facts and figures show that Alliance had a total public and private investment in place and committed of $2,000,259,423 (private; $1,823,667,337, public $176,592,086).
The total number of jobs in place at Fort Worth are 27,154 (permanent: 7,633, part-time: 6,490 and construction: 13,031). There are 36 corporate residents at the location -- those that would be known in Ireland are American Airlines, Federal Aviation Administration, Mitsubishi, Mobil Nokia Mobile phones and the US Drug Enforcement Administration -- and during last year 13 new residents in industrial, commercial and retail industries, representing 2 million square feet of office and warehouse space, moved in.
Minister Kenny visited and was impressed with the Fort Worth Alliance operation. In turn Ross Perot Jnr. flew into Knock Airport and viewed first hand the proposed industrial zone.
Now a mini Fort Worth is on the cards for Knock. The tax-free status will act as a magnet to attract high-tech companies to set up in the area. International corporations, too, can avail of the base to target Europe with their products.
But all of this would not have been possible without the Finance Bill concessions and the commitment the present Government has for the development of Knock Airport.
What the late Monsignor James Horan started off has now been left to Minister Kenny to finish. Knock Airport could become the freight hub for Europe, an economic miracle and the saving of this part of the West of Ireland.
This development will stand as a monument to the vision of Monsignor Horan and the strength and support Minister Kenny has shown to the project.
We look forward to watching this project grow from today's embryonic stage to when thousands of workers will be employed at the industrial park.
