'Portlaoise probably the best town for commuters' company expands to Laois
A national recruitment company has confirmed it is expanding to Laois, describing Portlaoise as "probably the best network town for commuters".
FRS Recruitment, which has expanded to a range of roles since its start as a farm cooperative in 1980, already has offices in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Tipperary, Limerick, Kerry, Kilkenny, Offaly and Cavan.
A company spokesperson confirmed to the Leinster Express / Laois Live why they have chosen Laois.
"It is a central hub. Portlaoise is probably the best networking town for commuters. It is very well serviced by the train station and a network of roads. It is the most central location base nationwide," the FRS spokesperson said.
The office will be used by existing FRS staff who currently commute from Laois to other counties or work remotely at home in Laois.
More businesses are expected to move in to the three storey centre shortly.
Laois County Council had formed the Portlaoise Innovation Centre Designated Activity Company (DAC) to oversee the opening of The Cube.
They say "positive discussions are taking place" regarding a client for the second floor.
"The ground floor will comprise a mix of hot desks, energy efficient services to the public and Midlands.ie presence," the council said at the January meeting.
The council CEO John Mulholland confirmed that it will officially open soon.
"Finally the associated company has taken the keys for The Cube and tenants are signed up for the first floor with a formal opening in the spring," he said at the January council meeting.
The centre is to offer a nationwide base for businesses new and established to guide them to low carbon environmentally friendly practices.
The once derelict unfinished glass fronted building at Tower Hill was refurbished and bought as a turnkey development, at a cost of €1.62 million, with €1.34 million grant aided from Enterprise Ireland using the Regional Development Enterprise Fund, and the remaining €280,000 paid by Laois County Council.