An Tánaiste and Minister Breen launch LEO plans for ‘Local Enterprise Village’ next month Local Enterprise Office plans to boost the profile of Irish small businesses and start-ups at Europe’s largest outdoor event – the National Ploughing Championships - were launched by An Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Frances Fitzgerald T.D. and Minister for Business, Pat Breen, T.D.

From the 19th to 21st September, the ‘Local Enterprise Village,’ managed and funded by the Local Enterprise Offices, including LEO Cavan, will be home to 31 diverse start-ups and small businesses from all over the country.

Many of the small businesses will be making their debut at the Championships, using the opportunity to launch new products and services to the 280,000 visitors expected by the National Ploughing Association (NPA). LEO Cavan will be represented at the Local Enterprise Village by Elena Brennan of Elena Brennan Jewellery [www.elenabrennan.com]

Announcing the plans for the Local Enterprise Village, the Tánaiste said: “Through the LEOs, this Government continues to be committed to supporting and sustaining the development of micro and small businesses such as those taking part in the Local Enterprise Village at the National Ploughing Championships. By boosting the profile of indigenous Irish companies at major international events, the focus is on promoting trade and driving innovation and export growth across all business sectors across the country. For the 280,000 people expected at the National Ploughing Championships in September, I would encourage them to pay a visit to the Local Enterprise Village to support Ireland’s start-ups and small businesses.”

Marcella Rudden, Head of Enterprise in Cavan feels that the National Ploughing Championships are the ideal opportunity to raise the profile of local small businesses and start-ups to a mass audience,  as the event attracts over a quarter of a million visitors every year. She said: “For those at the ploughing championships looking for products and services for the home, the family or the farm, the Local Enterprise Village is unique because it offers every visitor a chance to meet the person behind the company and to buy directly from them, to help support jobs in small businesses all over the country.”

The village will also be the home of small businesses which manufacture locally for the home and farm, such as rainwater gutters, architectural joinery, blasting machines, push-pull cables and sprayer attachments. In addition to agri-tech products for farmers, visitors will also be able to meet the makers behind furniture, fashion, craft, skincare and sports equipment companies, all based in Ireland. More details around the Local Enterprise Village and the supports on offer through the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are available at www.localenterprise.ie. The 86th Annual National Ploughing Championships run from September 19th to 21st at Screggan, Tullamore, County Offaly with tickets on sale through www.npa.ie.

ENDS