Monaghan Ecological Group (MEG) is delighted to announce that two prominent members have taken up exciting new job roles with CREST (Centre for Renewable Energy & Sustainable Technologies), which is an innovative cross-border initiative to deliver a programme of technology development for small and micro business.
(Above) The layout of the Centre for Renewable Energy & Sustainable Technology Technologies, in Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh.
Andrea Corrigan and Barry Mc Carron have recently been employed as research and development associates with the CREST programme.
CREST will provide businesses with research and development assistance, including demonstration and testing facilities for new renewable energy products and sustainable technologies. The facilities will be used by small companies within the region who have ideas for new products but who currently do not have the physical and/or technical capacity to develop, test and commercialise these. CREST is supported by the European Union’s INTER REGIVA Programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body.
The type of assistance available through CREST includes developing prototypes; testing new or innovative products; carrying out research relating to particular product/service areas; investigating further finance options; identifying and directing businesses towards further areas of assistance. CREST has four main partners including Institute of Technology Sligo, Cavan Innovation &Technology Centre, and Dumfries & Galloway College with the lead partner being South West College. The four CREST partners will form a support network of specialist innovation colleges and centres. The CREST teams and their facilities are available to assist with research, development and testing of innovative renewable energy and sustainable technology ideas as well as demonstrating how these can be integrated practically e.g. into domestic or business settings.
Barry McCarron will be based in Enniskillen with the lead project partner South West College. This will be the location of a new development specifically designed to provide industry research and development and testing facilities for new renewable energy products and sustainable technologies. Barry says “CREST is an exciting £2.9 million project which has the services to provide quality independent assistance both in the innovation and development of new and existing technologies”.
Andrea Corrigan,who has a background in environmental management and has been involved in various sustainable and renewable projects both in agriculture and industry,will be part of the CREST team in Cavan Innovation & Technology Centre (CITC). Based on the Dublin Road in Cavan, CITC facilitates and supports enterprise and economic development in the central border area.Andrea says “CREST provides a great opportunity to help and encourage small to medium businesses to develop new products and adapt existing products and processes which will ultimately increase their turnover, export sales, efficiency and profitability. It will encourage businesses to adopt a more sustainable approach to their activities and will be of particular value to those businesses who might not otherwise have the resources to research and develop their ideas.” Between June 2013 and December 2014, approximately 36 projects in the border region, will receive assistance from the CREST team at CITC. Further information can be found by visiting www.cavanitc.ie and selecting the CREST page.
If you have a query regarding eligibility of your business or your project idea, please contact us using the contact details provided below.
Barry McCarron – CREST Programme, South West College, Killyhevlin Industrial Estate, Enniskillen, BT74 4EJ (Tel: 028 822 5223) Ext2318
Andrea Corrigan – CREST Programme, CITC, Dublin Road, Cavan (Tel: 049 4377277)
Transition Monaghan 