Local businesses benefit from grants

THE Fingal Local Enterprise Office has approved its first four grants to local business, worth

?¬55,250.

Since opening its doors at Fingal County Council in May the Fingal LEO, formerly Fingal County Enterprise Board, has become the

‘first-stop-shop’ for all start-ups and businesses seeking supports from State agencies.

The four Fingal businesses are in receipt of two Priming and two Feasibility Grants, following the establishment of a new grant approvals process. They are now in the position to create employment in Fingal as well as initiate business development plans and market research.

Operating in the areas of IT, the food industry and baby gifts market, the four businesses include a producer of a range of South African beef jerky, a designer of a baby products range, an IT product targeting the online dating industry and a digital food safety concept.

At the official presentation awarding the first grants to be approved by the LEO, Paul Reid, chief executive of Fingal County Council, said the announcement highlights how, since integrating with Fingal County Council, the Fingal LEO has hit the ground running as the go-to location for micro enterprises.

“Through financial support, management training and mentoring services, the Fingal LEO is helping to strengthen the local business environment by enabling them to overcome those barriers to success that often cause entrepreneurs to falter at an early stage,

? stated Mr Reid.

Oisin Geoghegan, Head of Fingal Local Enterprise Office, said bringing new business and job creation to the locality was a key goal of the Fingal LEO.

“We are therefore delighted to announce the provision of grant supports that will help create new employment locally in innovative start-up businesses in the county,

? said Mr Geoghegan.

“There are many great new business ideas emerging in recent times and part of our role is to encourage people with a good business idea to explore its potential.

“If the business proposal qualifies, we can assist by providing funding to invest in the idea at an early stage.

?

Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Mags Murray, also speaking at the official presentation, said:

“Fingal is uniquely placed to take a key role in leading Ireland’s economic recovery, with an educated workforce, infrastructure and business environment that is second to none.

“The Fingal LEO is a vital component of this, helping to nurture an entrepreneurial culture that will support future growth and employment in the county and beyond.

?

A Feasibility Grant is designed to financially assist those with a qualifying innovative business idea who wish to examine its sustainability (up to

?¬20,000), while a Priming Grant is a business start-up grant available to qualifying small businesses (up to

?¬80,000).

Further information about the enterprise supports available to small businesses and new start-ups in Fingal is available at www.localenterprise.ie/Fingal