Council’s Job Creation Engine announces Mid-Year Results

Today, Carlow County Council’s Local Enterprise Office published the mid-year figures for January-June 2016. To date, the offices have approved over €382,566 to a variety of enterprise and economic development projects and engaged in the evaluation and development of over 277 current and future business prospects as part of Business Information, Mentoring & Advisory Services.

Direct funding to the private industry amounted to €230,905, which can potentially create 40 jobs in the local economy over the next 12 months. In the area of economic development projects, €151,661 has been provided which has the potential to make a significant impact on the local economy.

This, coupled with 26 training and networking events with over 700 participants, means that the Council’s Economic Development Unit is seeing a significant upturn in the local economy and overall company expansion in 2016.

Commenting on the results, Cllr. John Murphy, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council said “In the first two quarters of 2016 we have seen an increasingly strong demand for services provided by our Local Enterprise Office”. Murphy continued to say “Our focus on economic development, coupled with a continued improvement in the general economy, will create real jobs in the short term for County Carlow.”

Announcing the mid-year results, Kieran Comerford – Head of Enterprise with Carlow County Council said “The services of the Local Enterprise Office are very important to local businesses. Financial supports provided by the Carlow Local Enterprise Office can be crucial in helping start-ups to flourish in their first year of operation. Priming grants are available for early-stage businesses, while expansion grants are available to help those over 18 months trading.”

Commenting on the supports available from the Local Enterprise Office, Bernie O’Brien – Director of Services said “It has been over 2 years since the establishment of our Local Enterprise Office which has firmly established itself as the first-stop shop for people wanting to start and develop their own business and I would encourage businesses to engage with our executive for a confidential meeting to discuss the requirements of their business and how we can help to bring their business to the next level”. O’Brien concluded by saying “The merger of Enterprise Support & Economic Development Services has achieved significant results for Carlow County Council and we are delighted to roll out a variety of Training & Development Programmes during the Autumn/Winter Period.”

The Autumn/Winter Programme for the Local Enterprise Office will be announced in the coming weeks and will see a redesigned Training, Development & Business Support Programme designed for the needs of local businesses. For further information call 059/9129783 or e-mail enterprise@carlowcoco.ie