Local companies ready to ‘plough ahead’ in September
€645,000 worth of sales generated through the Local Enterprise Village last year, with the help of the Local Enterprise Offices
Plans for the ‘Local Enterprise Village’ at the National Ploughing Championships have been unveiled by the Local Enterprise Offices and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. Ms. Mary Mitchell O’ Connor T.D.
The Local Enterprise Village (#localenterprise) will be home to 84 small businesses from around the country for the three days of the National Ploughing Championships.
Managed and funded by the Local Enterprise Offices, the Local Enterprise Village opens its doors from September 20th to 22nd at Screggan in Tullamore, offering Irish start-ups and small businesses a launch-pad for new products and services, giving them the chance to impress the 280,000 visitors expected at European’s largest outdoor event.
Last year, small businesses inside the Local Enterprise Village generated sales and orders worth €645,000*. Supported by Local Enterprise Office South Cork local companies that are showcasing their products and services at this year’s Local Enterprise Village include "Life Kitchen from Little Island which produces and delivers delicious healthy meals and desserts, and Barbara Hall Creations based in Cobh, creating beautiful hand-crafted jewellery and oil paintings"
The plans for the 2016 Local Enterprise Village include a new product launch and demonstration area, where small businesses and start-ups can invite visitors to preview and sample new Irish brands. A new award scheme, the Local Enterprise Village Awards, is also being introduced for the first time, to highlight ‘up-and-coming’ brands and companies.
The Minister unveiled the plans at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in Dublin with the help of the Local Enterprise Offices, the National Ploughing Association, Local Authorities Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and some of the small businesses that will be re-locating to the Local Enterprise Village in September.
The 85th Annual National Ploughing Championships runs from September 20th to 22nd 2016 at Screggan in Tullamore in County Offaly with tickets on sale from August through www.npa.ie.
*Source: Local Enterprise Offices' research, 2015
