€10 Million Fund to Be Granted to Businesses

Carlow Ireland , June 3, 2015 (Newswire.com) - On May 15th 2015, a new initiative was launched for 10 Million Euro to be granted to businesses and organisations across the country with the view to support job creation.

The launch was announced at the Carlow Enterprise House, with official members of state present such as An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD, Minister for jobs, Richard Bruton TD, and Minister of State for Business and Employment, Gerald Nash TD.

"The success of the Carlow Community Enterprise Centre is an excellent example of local people taking action and control at local level.", said An Taoiseach.

Enda Kenny , An Taoiseach

The location of the launch was strategically planned at Carlow Enterprise House as it was celebrating its 10th birthday.

This initiative is part of the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs that aims to create 100,000 new jobs by 2016 across the country. The regional scheme, available to 8 regions in total, allows for Enterprises boards and other organizations which promote employment to bid for funding.

The initiative is separated into two forms of funding:

-          €5 million fund for collaboration by the 31 LEOs on regional-specific initiatives and granted on a competitive basis to Local Enterprise houses, with projects that have the greatest potential to create employment opportunities.

-          €5 million Community Enterprise Initiatives fund, available through Enterprise Ireland, for new and existing business or community groups to collaborate on projects which will strengthen the job creation potential of their region.

The closing date for both types of funding in July 10th 2015.

The Taoiseach made it clear “We are all here today for two reasons – to support local jobs and to support local enterprises creating them.”

After the conclusion of speeches from different speakers including members of State and Official from Carlow Enterprise Board, the Taoiseach took time to speak with local companies who had gained momentum, with the help from the Carlow Enterprise Board.

Maven TM, a company based in the Carlow Enterprise House since 2011, had previously encountered a visit from An Taoiseach in 2013, for the forecast of new job creation within their business.

When asked by An Taoiseach on the progress of this creation of jobs, Mark Cradock, MD, was able to confirm that this prediction had been met and the business was expanding further, leading to the company moving to a larger office space to facilitate growth.

“The success of the Carlow Community Enterprise Centre is an excellent example of local people taking action and control at local level.”, said An Taoiseach.