Why Dun Laoghaire Rathdown is a great place to do business

DUN Laoghaire Rathdown (DLR) is a great place to start and grow a business.

Michael Johnson, the CEO of the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Enterprise Board (DLRCEB), certainly thinks so.

As he says, the successes of local entrepreneurs in creating new ventures that employ many people has been understated.

The last Census shows that there were net gains in jobs in the County. Despite the recession and the obvious impacts it has had on the local economy, it’s not all doom and gloom.

DLR has a vibrant entrepreneurial culture and this is evidenced by the threefold increase in new start up enquiries and applications for assistance to the CEB.

DLR has an amazing skill and talent base and many new ventures are emerging in the space of knowledge-based enterprises and the creative sector.

He cites the importance of the IADT and UCD in providing incubation and intellectual support to these businesses and the initiatives within the second level and VEC sectors as being major contributors to what he believes is Ireland’s premier entrepreneurial county.

Michael believes that the approach taken in DLR by the local CEB is very much based on meeting the needs expressed by clients and not the other way around.

He says that while entrepreneurs start and grow their business, the role of State agencies is to provide the support necessary for them to succeed.

The range of services such as mentoring and networking, together with financial supports for businesses that are in the innovation, internationalisation and manufacturing space, are a direct response to clients’ needs.

He says that the local Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is also very switched on to providing the services and infrastructure needed by businesses.

And Michael believes that the merger of CEBs with the council in the form of the new Local Enterprise Office (LEO) will ensure that there is complete joined up thinking and a one stop service to local business.

The sectors that are showing most growth opportunities in DLR are in technology, design and craft, green business and food while the county also has the most vibrant women’s entrepreneurial network in the country.

Enterprise Ireland and IDA are also very active in DLR and there are some very serious flagship inward investment sites such as Microsoft, Dell and Amgen.

DLR also boasts a formidable level of achievement in EI supported companies and enjoys one of the highest rates of High Potential Start Up enterprises in the country.

So all in all, as Michael says, DLR is a great place to be in business.

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