Sligo Chamber Statement on Elanco Closure
Sligo Chamber was bitterly disappointed with today’s announcement of the closure of Elanco Animal Health and the loss of 100 jobs. Chamber CEO Paul Keyes said: “This is devastating news for County Sligo and more particularly for the individuals concerned and our thoughts are with them at this time. We can never assume that our existing FDI base is going to stay in Sligo forever and for that reason we need a constant pipeline of new industry in Sligo. That pipeline does not currently exist. Sligo is home to world leading pharmaceutical and medical device industries with a skilled and talented workforce that must be made attractive to other prospective IDA clients. The Chamber will continue to work with the IDA to attract those industries but additional resources are required.
Representing a business community employing 4,500 people in Sligo, the Chamber is constantly advocating for additional resources to deliver on Sligo’s economic potential and opportunity. The Chamber is tired and sceptical of empty rhetoric and un-resourced economic plans. If Sligo is to reverse the current trend, where there has been a reduction in overall IDA supported employment in County Sligo over the past four years, even before today’s announcement, then a specific and financially resourced Government intervention is required. Anything less is unacceptable.