The AIM Centre is an initiative brought to life through a collaborative partnership between the Atlantic Technological University, Sligo County Council, and Leitrim County Council. Together this trio is called the ‘Sligo Leitrim ITS Regional Development Projects DAC’. The partnership is dedicated to leading funded projects, aimed at the development of the West and North-West Region of Ireland.

Back in 2019, research carried out by ATU and Sligo County Council showed that manufacturing in the region accounts for nearly a quarter of the private sector workforce—significantly higher than the Irish national average of 13%. This statistic, combined with the fact that technology is moving ahead at pace, left the gaping recognition that manufacturing companies in the region must be supported through this technological revolution. And so, the idea of the AIM Centre was born.

Funded by Enterprise Ireland through the Border Enterprise Development Fund (BEDF), Sligo County Council and ATU, the project commenced in 2021. A small team of engineers and business professionals commenced working from an office in the ATU Innovation Centre. Several industry projects commenced in the locality, focusing on digitalisation and smart manufacturing for SME’s. Meanwhile, plans were underway for the development of a state of the art innovation centre. This centre (pictured right) officially opened its doors in February 2024.

Today, the AIM Centre stands as a beacon of innovation and expertise, providing state-of-the-art facilities and support for businesses seeking to harness the power of digital transformation in manufacturing. By fostering a culture of innovation and technological fluency, the Centre aims to ensure that the West and North-West regions not only keep pace with but lead in the evolving manufacturing landscape.