Enterprise Board reports 15% increase in enquiries

More and more people in the county are opting for the self-employment option as Westmeath County Enterprise confirmed a 15% increase in inquiries about setting up new businesses during the last year. “We handled 4,200 inquiries during 2010, that's up over 15%,†CEO of Westmeath County Enterprise Board Christine Charlton told the Westmeath Independent this week. “We get all sorts of enquiries everything from areas like childcare to software to a bakery and manufacturing, we cover absolutely everything really. The largest notable increase is in people looking at self employment as an option, many of who would have been made redundant,†she noted. The County Enterprise Board work with micro-enterprises, start-up and existing businesses employing less than ten people, offering a range of initiatives from a business advisory service, mentoring, one-to-one business advice, to skills training and website/exhibition supports. Apart from the inquiries, close to €800,000 grant aid was also allocated to over 800 businesses last year, Ms Charlton explained, with over 850 receiving business training grants for website development, mentoring, or to help with the cost of travelling to major exhibitions or trade fairs, while another 38 received funding for equipment or to help employ people in their business last year. “There are 4,000 small businesses in Westmeath, they are really important to the county. They start small and they grow,†the CEO highlighted, adding that she would love to see further recognition of that fact from the Government with more funding for the sector. “The small business sector is really vital to our economic development,†she added. During the last twelve months 15 start-your-business courses were held around the county, a recommended first step for anyone with an idea for an enterprise, Ms Charlton advised, as all the issues are worked through and at the end of the process a decision can be made whether the proposal is worth proceeding with. More specialist courses for start-ups are also available covering areas like marketing, financial assistance and management, to name but a few. For anyone thinking of starting a new business in 2011, she had this advice to potential entrepreneurs: “Give us a ring, we may be able to solve the issue there and then or point you in the right direction,†Christine Charlton commented, adding that one-to-one meetings with a Business Advisor from Westmeath County Enterprise Board are available on Wednesday, February 2 at the Sheraton Hotel, Athlone from 9am to 5pm. Please contact Aileen McGrath on 044 9349222 or email info@westmeath-enterprise.ie to make an appointment or for further information check www.westmeath-enterprise.ie