the 2009 floods in Ireland, the River Suck burst its banks and caused major flooding in Ballinasloe. About 40 families were evacuated by boat after the flooding caused over €8 million worth of damage in the town, with a number of buildings left under water for several weeks. An archaeological survey, undertaken in September 2021 as part of a street enhancement programme in the town, revealed a number of human skeletons and 17-century artefacts, 12 centimetres below existing footpaths. Economy Fast-food restaurant Supermac's opened its first restaurant in Ballinasloe in 1978. The restaurant chain is now present in over 116 locations, including two stores in the town. Ballinasloe traditionally had an agricultural economy, though the 1980s and 1990s saw a number of factories locate in the town. Local employers include Surmodics, a medical company with premises in the 39-acre Business & Technology Park. Another contributor to the local economy is the Enterprise Centre. Managed by the Ballinasloe Area Community Development (BACD), it is located on the outskirts of Ballinasloe along the Creagh Road. As of mid-2020, there were 26 enterprises based in the centre, with nine more regularly using the training, meeting and hot-desk facilities. In July 2021, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar visited the Enterprise Centre as part of a campaign to raise awareness of the advice available from the government about blended and remote work. The footwear and clothing company, Dubarry of Ireland, is headquartered in Creagh, Ballinasloe. In November 2004, Dubarry ceased its manufacturing facility in the town, however, its product development, marketing and distribution departments, remain in Ballinasloe. Businesses in the town centre include Gullane's Hotel, a three-star hotel and conference centre, which has served the area since 1943. The Shearwater Hotel, a four-star hotel, leisure centre and gym, is located at Marina Point. During 2020, the future of the Aptar factory in Ballinasloe was questioned, and several TDs called for a taskforce on the issue. In August 2020, Aptar confirmed it would cease operations at the facility, with the loss of 115 jobs, stating that industrial equipment would be transferred to other Aptar global sites by the end of 2020. In April 2020, an online community marketplace was launched which allowed shoppers to continue to buy locally and support the community, as shops closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. In June 2019, planning permission was granted for a five-screen Omniplex cinema