Kildare town is set for a major boost with two planned multimillion euro developments.
Work is due to start in April on a major tourist outlet village similar to centres in Barcelona, Oxfordshire, Milan and other European cities.
The 53-unit complex, which will be built on the outskirts of the town near the motorway interchange, aims to attract tourists visiting Ireland by offering top brands at discount prices.
Irish International Tourist Outlets Ltd hopes to have the project completed in time for the 2006 Ryder Cup which will be hosted by the K-Club in Straffan, Co Kildare. The event is expected to attract thousands of overseas visitors, giving a major boost to the local economy.
The retail outlet is expected to generate 250 construction jobs and 400 jobs when completed.
Meanwhile, local businessman Mr Tom Treacy has submitted plans for a 150-bed four-star hotel with leisure centre, spa and conference/wedding facilities, an industrial and business park, a motorway service station and a 22-acre residential development.
His company, Curtmount Properties, hopes to start construction on a 100-acre site next to the tourist outlet, subject to planning permission.
The proposed motorway service station would include a separate 108-bedroom hotel, filling station, retail outlet, drive-through restaurant and bar and restaurant.
"It will breathe new life into the town of Kildare, employing in excess of 2,000 people when the development is completed," said Mr Treacy.
"I have owned the land for some years now and we feel Kildare is ready for the development, now that the motorway is open.
"Kildare town was stifled by traffic for years but now the future looks bright for the town commercially."
Former councillor Mr Michael McWey has been acting as local consultant to International Tourist Outlets Ltd.
"Kildare town will change dramatically over the coming years. It will be very exciting, especially with the fact that the tourist retail outlet hopes to bring in a million visitors into the complex per annum," he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Kildare town Chamber of Commerce, Mr Thomas Heffernan said he was delighted with the influx of new business.
"We know it will benefit the town. It will bring in new jobs. There will be a huge number of visitors at the retail outlet and we hope to get them into the town centre to spend their money there as well," he said.