The Shannon Venue continues to make steady progress in its endeavours to deliver a Community Civic & Arts Centre in the heart of the town, and has recently received planning permission to develop the project.

The Venue Team are delighted to announce that one of the major employer’s in the Shannon Industrial Estate, Molex Ireland Ltd., has just committed a significant six figure sum to the project.  This is yet another positive endorsement for The Venue from a major corporation in the town.

Molex European VP Operations, John O’ Brien, made the commitment to the Shannon Venue Team following a meeting of local businesses recently in Shannon organised by Shannon Chamber, at which the Shannon Venue project was presented.

Kevin Thompstone said ‘’an absolute need for a facility of this nature in the town, and its obvious benefits to employees and residents alike, gave John the encouragement to propose supporting this project to senior Molex management.  It is not easy for any company to make a special case for a community facility such as The Venue.  But John was courageous and steadfast in his support for The Venue and achieved what he thought might be impossible.  We are very glad he did. We believe that this will encourage other businesses to take a similar approach”

‘’We are greatly encouraged that a company such as Molex has seen the potential in ‘The Shannon Venue’ and the impact it will have in the region. Molex has been a significant employer in Shannon for over forty years and it continues to grow and embed its roots in the town.  They are of the view it will be a key factor in helping them attract and retain quality employees, into the future.’’, added Mr. Thompstone.

Molex’s VP Operations for Europe, John O Brien said: ‘Following on from The Venue presentation at a recent CEO Forum organised by Shannon Chamber of Commerce, we decided that the scale and strategic intent of The Venue was worthy of support.   Mick Guinee of EI Electronics had explained the reasons why they were the first to come on board.   We also see The Venue as an essential part of the business, social and community fabric of Shannon, a place which like Molex has a history of successful innovation and adaptation to change.  The Venue shows that this positive “can-do” attitude continues to flourish in the business and social community of Shannon.”

The Shannon Venue team are asking other companies trading out of Shannon, to follow the lead of companies such as Molex and EI Electronics (who have both made significant contributions) and make a special case for this project.  It is a project that will service a variety of community groups and be an attraction for the town.  It will help make Shannon a better place in which to live, learn, work and do business.

The promoters plan to be shovel ready by the early 2016. They have already asked that Clare County Council make The Venue their Capital Expenditure Priority, and will be looking to National Government to acknowledge the support of the Shannon business community by way of financial support for the capital cost of The Venue.

Photo caption:

Marking the announcement of the decision by Molex to provide significant funding for The Shannon Venue are (L to R): Alan Keogh (Operations Manager), John O Brien (VP Operations for Molex Europe), and the Directors from The Shannon Venue Ltd, Kevin Thompstone, Eoin Hoctor and Derek Barrett.