Page 20 - Chief Executive Report - July 2022
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LEO / ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LEO / ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Building Better Business TOURISM
National Enterprise Awards 2022 program is about building a stable, secure, and Kilkenny Tourism and visitkilkenny.ie
Graiguenamanaghs’ Cushendale Woollen Mills proudly Digital Start – Support for sustainable business that is agile enough to June marketing activity was themed around
represented Kilkenny at the finals of the National Small Business face economic challenges. This programme the Great Outdoors: Parks, Gardens & Outdoor
Enterprise Awards on June 2nd in the Mansion House. is centred on the belief that waste exists in all Activity. The target market being Social
processes and while it is a practical, hands on Energisers, Culturally Curious and Great
programme but not focusing on the obvious Escapers. Blogs included Family Friendly
Applications are open for the Local ways of looking at problems and opportunities. places to stay this Summer in Kilkenny,
Enterprise Office pilot scheme It is about finding ways to do things faster, Awesome Things to do in Kilkenny this Summer
Digital Start. This initiative is better, and together as a team. and Horizon Irish Open. The Visit Kilkenny
designed to help • 18 business have been approved a Trading Events page heavily promoted the programme
businesses prepare and Online Voucher totalling €35,232 to support of activity for the Cat Laughs Comedy Festival
implement a plan for the adoption the enhancement of their online trading - June 2nd - 6th & the Horizon Irish Open June
of digital tools and techniques capacity. 30th - July 3rd 2022.
across the business. • 10 Green for Micro supports awarded Horizon Irish Open
totalling €22,426. This scheme supports
Summary of Awards to Businesses Via Local Digital Start will provide strategic businesses to becoming greener and
Enterprise Office 2022 intervention for businesses to work environmentally friendly.
• A total of €403,748 in direct financial assistance has with third party consultants to: • 5 business applicants have been supported
been approved for 14 manufacture /export service • assist them identify where they to make loan applications to the Micro
businesses located throughout the County. This are on their digital business Finance Ireland loan fund.
assistance is linked to the projected creation of 41 jobs journey, • 142 people participated on focused small
over the next three years. • develop a digital adaptation plan business training, including 55 people
• €262,385 in Business Expansion Grant assistance based on their identified need, participating on the Starting Your Business
awarded to 9 existing businesses with forecasted new • implement their digital programme
job creation of 37 jobs. Business Expansion grants adaptation plan • 296 businesses have availed of specialised
assist businesses trading greater than 18 months to business specific mentoring on a variety of
make investment in growing their businesses and This is a free programme, offering topics including finance, marketing, social
employment numbers. up to 4 days business specific media marketing and HR. Kilkenny County Council in partnership with the
• €47,778 in Agile Innovation Funding to support a advice and technical support and Green for Micro – Support for Small European Tour, Mount Juliet and Fáilte Ireland
business to carry out research and development on a is available to businesses with up Business worked together to maximise the opportunity for
new product for their business. to 50 employees operating in the The Green for Micro programme is designed Kilkenny's exposure as a tourism destination at
• €35,610 in Priming Grant (Start-up assistance) to 1 manufacturing or internationally to help prepare small businesses for the low the 2022 Horizon Irish Open. Kilkenny County
new business. traded service sectors. carbon, more resource efficient economy of the Council dressed the streets of the City as well
• €27,975 awarded in feasibility study grants to 3 future. This is a FREE programme, offering two as surrounding towns and villages close to the
businesses. days business specific advice and technical event.
• €30,000 in Grad Start funding to 1 business. support and is available to businesses with
• 6 Technical Assistance for Micro Exporter grant up to ten employees. With climate change, The Kilkenny stand at Mount Juliet displayed
awarded totalling €12,320. This scheme supports changing regulations, rising resource costs many of Kilkennys’ wonderful “Made” and
businesses to explore their export market and changing customer expectations, adopting “Taste” products as well as reinforcing to all
opportunities. an eco-friendlier approach is the best way guests during the week to come back and visit
• 13 Businesses have commenced LEAN one to one forward for business and this green for micro Kilkenny again in the future.
consultancy programmes to investigate possible programme can assist businesses to get started
resource efficiencies and process improvements their on their green journey.
businesses.
• 5 Business have commenced the LEO Building Better
Business LEAN programme.
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