Tesco's plans to build a new superstore in Ballina and create 100 new jobs cleared its first hurdle at Ballina Town Council meeting Wednesday night when councillors agreed to sell 2.35 acres of land at Pearse Street/Humbert Street for the new store.

Moy Valley Resources is hosting a free business clinic for new or expanding businesses or anybody thinking of starting a new business in 2012. The Business Clinic which is the first of its kind in North Mayo will be held on February 28th from 3:00pm till 6:30pm in the Greenhills Enterprise Centre Ballina.

The Government decision to shut down the decentralised offices of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government is to give Ballina a welcome economic boost. Staff from the Department of the Environment Community and Local Government in Tubbercurry, will be retained in the short-term, but the Government plans to maximise the number of staff moving to Ballina, over time.

 Mayo networking expert and JCI Trainer, Derek Reilly, will share with you his insight into how to maximize your LinkedIn profile and get from where you are to where you want to be. The February meeting of JCI Mayo will focus on whether you are “LinkedIn or LinkedOut” of this increasingly important social network.

Experian, the global information services company, has released its first Business Health Index for the Republic of Ireland. Using Experian’s unique credit scoring model, the Business Health Index provides insight into the business universe of each of the 26 counties in the Republic.

Thinking of starting a business or expanding your current enterprise?  Then don’t miss out on the South West Mayo Development Company information events throughout the month of February.  The organisation will be highlighting various supports and grant aids available to individuals in the region, with particular emphasis placed on enterprise development and expansion, as well as farm enterprise and service development. 

Thirty-five tourism organisations from around Ireland – including Clew Bay Hotel and Ireland West Airport Knock – hit the road with Tourism Ireland in Germany last week, for a three-city travel mission, aiming to increase Mayo’s and Ireland’s share of the valuable German holiday and business tourism market this year.

Over 30 organisations, including recruitment and employment agencies, will take part in the annual Graduate Careers Fair in GMIT Castlebar next Friday, 10 February. Organisations such as the Construction Industry Federation (CIF), Chartered Accountants Ireland, Lionbridge Technologies and Ballina Beverages.

Michael Crothers, a native of Canada, took over as managing Director of Shell E&P Ireland Limited and Corrib project venture manager on December 1. He replaces Terry Nolan who had held the positions for the past four years.A chemical engineer by profession, Michael has worked in the oil and gas industry for 28 years, 24 of these with Shell.