Remote working opportunities open up with Athboy Digital Hub launch

athboy Development Forum has hosted the official launch of ‘A-Tech’, Athboy’s first Digital Hub, by cathaoirleach of Meath County Council, Cllr Sean Drew, at the Convent Community Centre (CCC).

Cllr Drew congratulated the committees who delivered this Digital Community Hub project and for ADF’s extensive work and support for the community in Athboy over the years.

He acknowledged the support provided by Meath County Council working with ADF building a positive relationship to help with these projects.

Councillor Mike Bray, cathaoirleach of the Kells Municipal District, also congratulated the committees for bringing a vital service to the community of Athboy and for their previous projects providing valuable facilities to the people of Athboy.

Keith Mulvey, chairman of the centre committee and director with the Development Forum, explained:

"Following a long period of closure due to Covid restrictions, from today we are delighted to provide access to a remote desk base for entrepreneurs, remote employees or students.

You can now work or study from here with access to high speed fibre broadband, audio visual and printing facilities. A-Tech, Athboy Digital Hub is fully accessible to all in the community and has dedicated additional needs facilities including our Changing Places room and adequate canteen or lunch facilities.

He continued: "We will initially provide up to seven individual affordable office desk spaces available to rent on a short, medium or long-term basis. Desks will be available initially from 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 6pm on Saturday. An introductory price of just €10 per desk per day will apply to stimulate interest.

"Our project here is community focused however we will register with the national Connected Hubs Network and this will complement other established Digital Spaces in Meath such as Kells Tech, Dunshaughlin and Navan.

"So persons travelling through the town or staying local could avail of a base for the day. This will contribute to the local economy with businesses and hoteliers. The room here will also be available to hire by community groups for meetings, presentations or training in the evenings when available if required.”

Mr Mulvey noted: “This project received funding through the Meath Local Community Development Committee as the Local Action Group (LAG) for the delivery of the LEADER Programme in County Meath for the programme period 2014 - 2020.

"I would like to thank Colin Ludlow from Meath Partnership for his assistance administering the various processes and to local councilors, David Gilroy and Mike Bray for their support also. And of course Meath County Council who enabled us occupy this wonderful facility and grow our services to the community."