Over 300 new jobs are to be created at a new research and development centre in County Kerry over the next four years.

The centre in Killorglin is the result of a partnership between international fintech company Fexco, IT Tralee and Kerry County Council.

The facility will house Fexco’s Research Development and Innovation Centre and RDI Hub – a not-for-profit enterprise aimed at supporting start-ups in the fintech and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors.

The building is now home to 136 people making use of RDI Hubs’s co-working co-location working spaces and 125 Fexco staff.

RDI Hub aims to create over 305 new jobs in the next four years and plans to support over 35 new high-tech start-ups in its initial phase.

Fexco is locally owned and was established in Killorglin in 1981. The company has invested €21m in the new centre.

Chief Executive Denis McCarthy said that with the right infrastructure, rural towns have a huge amount to offer the economy.

“This new building signals our commitment to providing world-class innovative fintech solutions to a global audience as well as supporting our local community, through job creation and local investment,” he said.

“Since our foundation in Killorglin in 1981 we have been able to grow our business to employ over 2,500 people in 29 countries, whilst keeping our headquarters and the driving force of the business at home here in Kerry.”

It is hoped co-locating the company and hub in the same building will add value for both parties with increased access to specialised labour and expertise.

RDI has now opened a second call for applications from domestic and international high-potential start-ups, entrepreneurs, SMEs, academics, local authorities and public sector bodies.

Applications remain open until February 28th.