Small Business Minister launches LEO Clare

John Perry TD, Minister of State for Small Business today officially launched the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Clare at Aras Contae an Chlair in Ennis.

Combining the resources of the Clare County Enterprise Board and Clare County Council's business support unit, the LEO Clare is one of 31 LEOs around Ireland that is tasked with delivering services and support to businesses within a framework set by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and overseen by Enterprise Ireland.

Minister Perry was joined at today's launch by the Cathaoirleach of Clare Co Council Cllr. John Crowe who described Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as "the lifeblood of local communities" throughout Co. Clare.

The Cathaoirleach explained: "Jobs created by the SME sevtor help to keep employment levels up and emigration levels down which is key to rural communities surviving the economic downturn. LEO Clare offers small business owners the opportunity to learn from the experiences and expertise of others in order to grow and improve their operations. Being able to access finance, training and mentoring locally is a huge step forward for the local SME sector."

"LEO Clare provides a service that has not previously been provided from one central point. The pooling of expertise and resources at Aras Contae an Chlair will speed up the process for any business seeking assitance - financial, information, training or oterhwise," Cllr Crowe added.

Speaking at today's launch, Mr Tom Coughlan, Chief Executive of Clare Co Council said the setting up of the LEO within Clare Co Council will add significantly to the Local Authority's existing role in assisting economic development in the county.

"LEO Clare will work to ensure that the county's micro and small businesses can access the support, information and advice that they need and will continue to deliver and expand on the positive work carried out by the Clare Co Enterprise Board Ltd. I recognise the valuable contribution that SMEs, which represent 99% of all business in Ireland, make to the creation of employment in this county. In the coming minths, we will be developing local enterprise plans putting micro and small business at the heart of job creation locally "

Among the initiatives launched by LEO Clare in recent weeks is the new competition to find Clare's Best Young Entrepreneur, which is being coordinated nationally by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. €50,000 will be invested in the business models of Clare's three winning entrepreneurs who will also proceed to regional and national finals with the aim of finding Ireland's Best Young Entrepreneur. The overall winner of Clare's Best Young Entrepreneur will receive an investment of up to €25,000. The deadline for entries has been extended from June 30th to July 31st.

An SMEs online tool which brings together information and guidance on over 80 government business supports for SMEs, has also been made available on www.localenterprise.ie.

In the coming weeks meanwhile, LEO Clare will be offering online trading vouchers which provide up to €2,500 to fund 50% of the costs of assisting businesses (up to 10 employees) to trade online or to enhance their current online trading capacity.

The Local Enterprise Office Clare, Aras Contae an Chlair, Ennis, Co Clare can be contacted on 065-6821616 or localenterprise@clarecoco.ie. Further information is available from www.localenterprise.ie/clare

L-R: Jerry Moloney - Enterprise Ireland, Cllr. John Crowe - An Cathaoirleach, Clare Co Council, Minister John Perry TD, Tom Coughlan, Chief Executive, Betty Devanny, Senior Enterprise Development Officer  -LEO Clare

L-R: Sinéad Dixon, LEO Clare, Minister John Perry TD, Betty Devanny, Finbar Tuohy, LEO Clare

L-R: Betty Devanny - LEO Clare, John & Rachel McCarthy - Lahinch Surf School

L-R: Finbar Tuohy - LEO Clare, Birgitta Hedin-Curtin - Burren Smokehouse

L-R: Sinead Dixon - LEO Clare, Kay Leahy - Bluebird Care, Ennis

L-R: Betty Devanny - LEO Clare, Claire Bannon - Indigo Signs, Catherine Murray - Aaron Value Adding Services, Geraldine Curtin-Reddan - Streamline Systems