22 Community Enterprise Centres Supported under Enterprise Ireland Scheme
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan T.D. today, (Friday 31 October 2008) announced the awarding of over €11m funding and management development support for 39 community enterprise centres spread throughout the country, under the Community Enterprise Centre Scheme, funded by Government and managed by Enterprise Ireland. This major investment is towards the development of 22 new centres and expansions at six existing centres. The funding also includes €1m to support the management infrastructure within the community enterprise centre network. These combined projects will be instrumental in driving local enterprise and entrepreneurship.
Making the announcement the Tánaiste said:
"The Community Enterprise Centre Scheme marks a highly successful partnership between the state and Enterprise Ireland, and the local community, at two levels. Firstly, it stimulates the growth of an enterprising and innovative culture of entrepreneurship, the essential seedbed for the growth of successful young businesses. And secondly, it provides the practical support in terms of space and facilities and a supportive environment, for new businesses to emerge and prosper at a local level".
Today's funding announcement marks the second tranche of approvals from the €21m 2007 - 2009 Community Enterprise Scheme. Since the launch of the first scheme in 1989, a total of €50.8m has been approved and the impact of the programme at a local level, both urban and rural, is significant. The Government through Enterprise Ireland has supported 134 communities, and the 105 completed centres are now home to approximately 1,000 successful businesses, employing approximately 5000 people. These centres have a real and measurable impact on the economic and social development of local communities and are a tangible contribution to balanced regional development.
Outlining the background to the Community Enterprise Centre Scheme and its growth and development, the Tanaiste said:
"The Community Enterprise Scheme is an example of what can be achieved when the ambitions and energy of a local community are supported by the state. This is very much a community led initiative in the form of a partnership between the local community and the state - the community provides the business space in the centre and the Government through Enterprise Ireland can then fund up to 50% of the costs of the centre. Funding support can also be provided towards funding the appointment of Business Development Managers - these are key appointments that can play a strategic role in driving the growth of the centres and in enterprise development in the wider economy. The remainder of the funding is actively raised by the community itself from local sources. In this way, it represents all that is best when local resources and commitment can be harnessed and encouraged".
The Tánaiste went on to welcome the growing focus in the centres on businesses that operate in the services and high value added sectors, marking a move into the wider knowledge economy. These sectors offer significant potential for continued growth. She also welcomed the synergies emerging at a local level, where increasingly the centres are developing stronger links with the education and other institutions in their hinterland. She congratulated the centres on the recent launch of their National Association of Community Enterprise Centres. "This initiative is a significant development and the Association will provide a strong and effective platform for the Centres from all parts of the country to act together cohesively while, promoting best practice and a shared vision and energy for the continued growth of Community Enterprise across all regions", she said.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Eileen Banks, Press Officer, Enterprise Ireland
+353 1 7272805 (work)
+353 87 2445814 (mobile)
eileen.banks@enterprise-ireland.com