A €825,000 investment in grant aid helped the Limerick Local Enterprise Office (LEO) facilitate the creation of 281 new jobs in the small business sector last year.
This represented a net increase of 122 jobs in businesses supported by LEO bringing the total number of jobs supported by the Limerick office to 1,893 throughout the city and county.
The figures were highlighted this week when LEO launched its Training and Development programme for the current year.
The programme includes more than 40 courses for small businesses, individuals thinking about starting a business, owners and managers of small companies.
It was compiled on the basis of responses received to a joint survey of businesses, carried out in conjunction with the Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board.
The resulting programme includes advice on how to start your own business to management development and a look at what it takes to become a franchisee as well a useful contacts lists, details of available business grants and supports and dates of other events such as Enterprise Week at the beginning of March.
Head of Enterprise with LEO Limerick Eamon Ryan said the development of small business owners and managers is seen as vital to the continued growth of the small business sector.
“LEO Limerick invested €374,000 in training and development and other programmes to support the growth of business last year.”
“This level of activity will continue in 2018 and the training and development programme has something for every small business, to assist them in their development and growth. The supports for small business in Limerick are in place through the Local Enterprise Office and there has never been a better time to get into business in Limerick.”
“I would urge anyone considering starting a business venture or growing an existing small and micro business to visit www.localenterprise.ie/ limerick where they can learn more about the wide range of opportunities and supports being offered by LEO Limerick.”
“Home-grown business ideas that display innovation and creativity will enable us to grow jobs, challenge for market share and demonstrate our capability to adapt in a challenging global economic climate.
“We have to depend on our entrepreneurs to provide innovative products, processes and knowledge based solutions that will enable us to develop our local economy and enhance job creation,” Mr Ryan concluded.
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