4 minute read
Kildare CoCo / LEO
Kildare County Council’s Local Enterprise Office is here to support your Business
“I understand this is a worrying time for you as business owners in County Kildare. The country has faced an unprecedented period of uncertainty and disruption which is certain to continue for some time. While the health and safety of our loved ones will always be a priority, keeping businesses afloat and the economy stable is equally important. Kildare County Council’s priority remains to support the Kildare business community through a range of supports delivered through our Local Enterprise Office. Head of Enterprise Jacqui Mc Nabb has worked closely with the Department of Business Enterprise and Innovation and various departments of Kildare County Council to develop a range of supports specifically for you, Kildare businesses. A wide range of measures have been made available such as financial assistance available for eligible businesses. More information can be found at:
www.localenterprise.ie/Kildare/Financial-Supports/
Support for retailers such as our free Shop County Kildare ecommerce platform, Trading Online Vouchers and Kildare County Council’s Shop Front Scheme continue to be available, in addition to training and mentoring assistance. Microfinance Ireland has relaunched its funding to €25,000 as an immediate measure to specifically deal with exceptional circumstances that micro-enterprises (sole traders and firms with up to 9 employees) are facing.
In addition, the Local Enterprise Office is providing vouchers from €2,500 to support business Brexit continuity preparedness, innovation and productivity. The Local Enterprise Office has activated advisory clinics and mentoring support for impacted firms. I would encourage any business to take advantage of the portfolio of supports that are available from Kildare County Council’s Local Enterprise Office. There is sure to be doubt and uncertainty surrounding issues such as cashflow and access to finance, as much as there is uncertainty surrounding supply chain management and personnel. The objective of these measures is to give Kildare businesses, regardless of their scale or sector, the means to mitigate job losses and financial difficulties. Please visit our website
localenterprise.ie/kildare to see our full level of support available.
And perhaps even more importantly, if you run a small business and you are concerned about something but are unsure of who to talk to, please email localenterprise@ kildarecoco.ie. We may not have all the answers but we will try our best to help you and to steer you towards the best possible solution.”
Peter Carey Chief Executive Kildare County Council
Reopenyourbusiness withtheRestartGrant
CLOSING DATE EXTENDED TO 31ST OCTOBER 2020
“I received a grant towards doing up my shopfront. It meant a lot as parts of the shopfront were starting to show signs of rot, so we really couldn’t be put off any longer. The Kildare County Council were very helpful with queries about the grant and made the process much easier. I am delighted with the difference the new shopfront has made”
Vanessa Cullen of Vanessa’s Beauty Clinic, Newbridge.
The Shopfront Grant is available up to a maximum of €5,000 to support independent business owners to improve the appearance and accessibility of shop fronts or commercial properties. Closing date: 31st October 2020. You can find an application at localenterprise.ie/Kildare
“The Trading Online Voucher has been one of the most important aid’s the Johnny Magory Company Ltd. has received to date. It enabled us to create a professional website by professional designers, Graphedia Ltd. Prior to the voucher, we had built and operated our own website which was not even close to ‘Ok!’ With the help of Kildare LEO and Niall from Graphedia, we created a unique, eye catching and high performing website for Johnny Magory instantly launching us into the rapid world of e-commerce.”
Emma-Jane Leeson of Johnny Magory Business. Funding of up to €2,500 with the Trading Online Voucher
“I have found the Shop County Kildare experience to be both personally and financially beneficial to my business. In a year where there has been so much uncertainty, it was brilliant to see Kildare County Council show such initiative by developing the site. The team were superb at providing training to enable me to put up my products on the site myself, something I never thought I’d be capable of doing! Historically, the bulk of my sales had always come through markets, but with the advent of Covid and the demise of these markets my sales had plummeted. Shop County Kildare has helped greatly to fill the void left by these markets, in fact, I had my first sale within a few days of being on the site! I can absolutely recommend the site to any retailers who are looking at joining an online portal. It will be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make”
Mary Maher, Love Silver Ireland. Kildare County Council’s free ecommerce platform, Shop County Kildare www.shopcountykildare.ie
Check it out...
www.shopcountykildare.ie
ShopCountyKildare.ie
Are you a Kildare retailer/service provider?
ShopCountyKildare.ie enables you to get online with no barriers. Create your account and be trading online in minutes.
Free of Charge.
ShopCountyKildare.ie is a Kildare County Council initiative in association with Kildare Local Enterprise Office and County Kildare Chamber aimed at supporting local businesses.
