A local councillor has praised a Longford-based resort for the tourism and employment boost it has brought to the county. Center Parcs in Ballymahon brings in almost 2 million euro each week. The holiday resort recorded operating profits of just over 33 million euro for the 12 months to the end of April this year. The rise in profits is due to continued popularity with visitors, with occupancy rates of 97.6 per cent in the year to April.
The presence of the resort in the county has led to significant investment, including the extension of the Natural Gas Network to Ballymahon. Work is currently underway to upgrade the local water network to facilitate the resort's €100-million expansion. But local councillor Paul Ross says investment in key infrastructure in the area should be prioritised, regardless:
