Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English, visited the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Waterford on Thursday, 22nd April  where he met with council officials, and members of the LEO team.

The Minister was greeted by Mayor of Waterford city and county, Cllr Joe Kelly, Chief Executive of Waterford City & County Council, Michael Walsh, Head of Enterprise LEO Waterford, Richard Walsh, as well as other officials, and was briefed about developments in the county as well as future plans.

Mayor Kelly welcomed the Minister, explaining the importance of these visits and how the support from central government facilitates organisations like the Local Enterprise Office and Waterford Council to enable the progress that Waterford has enjoyed over the past number of years.

Minister Damien English said, "It is wonderful to be here in Waterford and witness how these businesses tap into the rich history of the area and continue long traditions of craftmanship and creativity. The spirit of local enterprise is vibrant here and the Government will continue to assist businesses like these through the support of the LEO network, Regional Enterprise funding and other initiatives. This will enable job creation and also ensure balanced regional development throughout the country." 

Minister English then received a presentation from Richard Walsh on the work the Local Enterprise Office conducts and the various programmes in place to assist small and medium enterprises in the County. “The past couple of years has been difficult but we have ambitious plans here in Waterford and look forward to seeing them bear fruit over time. It is an exciting phase for enterprise in Waterford and we at the LEO look forward to playing our part.” 

The Local Enterprise Office Waterford serves as a ‘first stop shop’ to provide strategic, administrative, technical and financial support and services to start, grow and develop micro and small business in Waterford. 

If your business in pre-start, start-up or established business phase and would like to find out more about what business support services are available from LEO Waterford visit www.localenterprise.ie/Waterford/ or call to LEO Waterford offices at 35, The Mall, Waterford or the Civic Offices in Dungarvan.