The Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan is proud to announce the launch of its comprehensive Regional and Town Profiles, designed to highlight the Midlands region as the destination of choice for living, working, studying, visiting, and investing.
Leveraging the latest data from Census 2022 and other leading sources, these profiles provide a detailed snapshot of the region’s unique strengths, investment opportunities, and quality of life amenities.
The profiles cover the region and five key towns: Athlone, Mullingar, Portlaoise, Tullamore, and Longford, each demonstrating distinctive attributes that make them attractive destinations.
Key insights from the profiles reveal significant growth and potential within the Midlands:
- The population has surged to 324,600, marking an 8.6% increase since the previous census.
- The labour force has expanded by 10.7%, with over 1.1 million workers accessible within a 60-minute commute.
- The region boasts proximity to over 4 million people within a 90-minute radius, emphasising its central location and accessibility to all major Irish cities, airports and ports.
- There has been a 36.1% rise in adults holding third-level or postgraduate qualifications.
- 29% of graduates specialise in STEM, Manufacturing, and Construction fields.
A European Region of the Future 2024 for FDI Strategy
The Midlands is home to the Technological University of the Shannon, which has the highest graduate employment rate in the country. The region also hosts five research and innovation centres, including Irish Manufacturing Research, the National Construction Training Centre, and The Cube low carbon centre of excellence.
Industry clusters thriving in the Midlands include Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering, Food & Drink, ICT, and Life Sciences. The region is also a leader in renewable energy production, with significant operations in wind, solar, BESS, and green hydrogen, and a strong future pipeline.
These profiles are particularly timely as the Midlands has recently been designated by fDi Intelligence and the Financial Times as a European Region of the Future for FDI Strategy. Additionally, the region was the fastest growing in Ireland for FDI jobs growth with the IDA in 2023.
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke TD has welcomed the launch of the Midlands Regional and Town Profiles saying, “I am delighted to launch the new Regional and Town Profiles for the Midlands. A key objective of the Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan is to position the Midlands as a community of choice in which to live, create, study, work, visit and invest, and as someone who lives in the heart of the Midlands, I truly believe we have a great case to make. These profiles will serve to promote the region’s value proposition, including its centrality, the existing enterprise base and access to talent, as well as its rich arts, cultural and recreational assets.”
Dr. Anne Cusack, Chair of the Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan Steering Committee, commented on the launch: “The newly launched Regional and Town Profiles showcase the very best that the Midlands has to offer.
“From our robust educational institutions and cutting-edge research facilities to our thriving industry clusters and renewable energy initiatives, these profiles provide a comprehensive overview of why the Midlands is an ideal destination for investment and living.
“We are excited to highlight the opportunities that make our region a strategic choice for businesses and individuals alike.”
Each profile focuses on key topics such as demographics, education, regional-based clusters, facilities, property solutions, and state supports, providing a holistic view of what makes the Midlands and its principal towns attractive destinations.
For more information on the Regional and Town Profiles you can click the following links: Mullingar, Portlaoise, Tullamore, Longford, and Athlone.
For an overview profile on the Midlands region, you can learn more here.
