130 Trading Online Vouchers awarded to Westmeath firms
One hundred and thirty two Trading Online Vouchers were awarded to businesses in County Westmeath in 2021 by the Local Enterprise Office (LEO), a local minister has confirmed.
Damien English, Meath West Fine Gael TD and Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, said the figures show the digital transformation journey continues for firms looking to increase sales and reach new markets, helping create more employment opportunities in the county.
“I am grateful of the work carried out by the Westmeath LEO team in 2021 and for helping maintain momentum for many small businesses looking to trade their goods and services online,” said Minister English.
The Trading Online Voucher Scheme offers a 50% co-funded voucher of up to €2,500 to help businesses (trading for at least six months) to develop their online trading capability, and it includes training that covers various topics, including developing a website, digital marketing, social media for business and search engine optimisation.
Between January 1 and December 31, 2021, on a national basis, the Trading Online Voucher Scheme had a total of 4,442 approvals to a value of €9.6 million, which the minister said, is strong evidence of the success of the scheme and the demand for the vouchers in the micro-enterprise sector.
Minister English said he was satisfied that the Trading Online Voucher Scheme, a demand led support scheme for businesses, will continue to be a key component in the suite of interventions to assist micro-enterprises to develop and flourish in the years ahead and is urging local businesses to engage with their LEO about getting their business online.
The local business community in Westmeath were also offered a vast range of training, mentoring and financial support opportunities by the LEO which suited their specific business requirements.
Minister English said: “In 2021, the Westmeath LEO matched 456 businesses with expert guidance on their Mentoring Programme. This is a valuable and free service open to client companies of the local enterprise support agency.
“The programme is designed to match up the knowledge, skills, insights and entrepreneurial capability of experienced business practitioners with small firms who stand to benefit from practical and strategic one-to-one advice and guidance.”
On the training opportunities provided by the Westmeath LEO, Minister English said: “Last year, 1,502 people participated in the wide range of one-day workshops, seminars and management development programmes. Many of the business owners who participated in these programmes demonstrated their determination to succeed, their appetite to grow and ultimately their ambition to create more job opportunities locally.
“The Westmeath LEO is a valuable first-stop shop which provides support and services for those who are looking to start, grow and develop a business in the county.
“I would urge early engagement by interested entrepreneurs to help get their business off the ground with the added benefit of the Local Enterprise Office’s knowledge, networks and advice behind their venture.”