Making LOUTH the BEST County to do BUSINESS
NEWS..........NEWS..........NEWS.........NEWS............NEWS...........NEWS!
Food Works scheme for potential food entrepreneurs
Food Works is a new comprehensive training and development programme for potential food entrepreneurs.
Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and Teagasc have combined resources to design this in-dept process aimed at finding and fostering global food entrepreneurs.
Successful participants will be given an invaluable range of practical business supports required to develop an initial concept into a winning food product with international appeal. The available supports will include market research, business plan development, technical advice and commercial viability testing.
The deadline for applications is before Monday May 14th.
For more details visit www.foodworksireland.ie
LEADER - Rate of aid for private promoters increased from 50% to 75%
Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government announced, on 25th April 2012, a number of changes to the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme that will see increased availability of funding for both private promoters and community groups in rural Ireland. The enhanced concentration on enterprise support in RDP will drive the recovery process in rural areas.
The current rate of aid for private promoters under the RDP is 50%, the changes announced include an increase in this rate to 75%. This change will go some way to address the difficulties being experienced in accessing credit in the current economic climate and will provide an increased level of support for rural entrepreneurs in Ireland.
Anyone wishing to inquire about this funding should contact Louth Leader Partnership at 041 6857374/5 or email info@louthleaderpartnership.ie.
For more information log onto www.louthleaderpartnership.ie
Cash injection available to stimulate new cross-border sales!
InterTradeIreland has funding now available for small and micro businesses looking to access and develop new markets and grow their sales across the island.
- Elevate - InterTradeIreland’s small business sales development programme, provides financial assistance to help Micro Businesses identify new cross-border markets/ customers across the island and win new business. Its 100% funded by InterTradeIreland and the application process is very simple. They are currently looking to recruit 50 eligible companies. Spaces are limited. The next two submission dates are 30th April and 30th May 2012.
- Acumen – InterTradeIreland’s Sales & Marketing Programme, can provide SMEs with the extra resources or funding to help them 'net' those all important new sales! Acumen offers funding up to £15k/€18k to help SME’s to:
o Employ a full-time or part-time salesperson for their business or;
o Employ a graduate to undertake a 12 month project or;
o Explore opportunities in a new market by undertaking market research.
InterTradeIreland Acumen can source the right people to help SMEs increase their export sales North or South, improve their knowledge of the market and identify new business opportunities.
- Upping your Game - Meet the Buyer events. InterTradeIreland with its partner organisations are holding a series of FREE Meet the Buyer events. Throughout each of these events, there will be a number of opportunities for SMEs to meet with public sector buyers from across the island North and South at the Buyer stands. There will also be representatives from the key business agencies across the island who can advise SMEs on current funding opportunities and business supports available. Registration for these events will be open at the end of April.
For more information and to apply – visit their website www.intertradeireland.com
Dundalk Chamber of Commerce is delighted to launch the Louth Business Awards for 2012. The aim of these awards is to recognize the achievements of companies and individuals in promoting excellent services and products in a top class manner. Given the challenging times we are in we are encouraging companies to rally and recognize the organizations that are performing well.
Louth Business Awards 2012
Dundalk Chamber of Commerce is delighted to launch the Louth Business Awards for 2012. Part sponsored by Louth Local Authorities, the aim of these awards is to recognize the achievements of companies and individuals in promoting excellent services and products in a top class manner. Given the challenging times we are in we are encouraging companies to rally and recognize the organizations that are performing well.
To enter your business for these awards, and give your company the opportunity to see its profile rise, you can download an application form and list of categorieshere.
For more information please visit www.dundalk.ie
Women of Worth Awards 2012
Drogheda & District Chamber are pleased to announce the return of the wonderfully uplifting WOW awards for a fourth consecutive year, which recognise the major contribution made by women to the economic and social well being of the region.
The Awards will take place on the 18th of May 2012 and Minister for State for Small Business John Perry TD will be present on the night. MC for the evening is Theresa Lowe RTE Broadcaster and Barrister-at-Law. Guest speaker for the evening will be local entrepreneur and successful business owner Denise Walsh from Relish Café & Foodhall.
The general public and business community are invited to nominate ladies who they believe deserve an award for the work they do. The WOW awards are an opportunity for women to gain well deserved recognition for both their career and business achievements.
It just takes a couple of minutes to complete a nomination form, which is available to download from www.droghedachamber.com or by emailing enquiries@droghedachamber.com. It is free to enter and you don’t have to be a member of the Chamber and nor does the person that you nominate. This is about recognising the wonderful women who enhance the business, economic and social life of the region. The deadline for nominations is the 4th of May 2012.
These awards will culminate in a fabulous, fun-filled night out on Friday the 18th of May when the winners will be presented with their awards. Champagne, dinner, great fun and fabulous entertainment from local band Deco5. It will be a wonderful night out and we are encouraging everyone, men and women to come and join the fun!
Ernst & Young 2012 Entrepreneur of the Year (EOY) Programme
The EOY programme continues to acknowledge and celebrate achievements of entrepreneurs from across the island. Nominations are now sought for the 2012 competition and entries can be made in any one of three categories – Emerging, Industry, and International.
Entry forms are available on www.eoy.tv or by contacting Ernst & Young on 01 2212250.
Closing date for nominations is March 30th 2012.
“What it takes to succeed in the Tourism Sector”
Louth Local Authorities in association with Eures Cross Border Partnership and Dundalk & Drogheda Chambers of Commerce invite you to attend a Conference entitled “What is takes to succeed in the Tourism Sector”“which will take place on Wednesday 28th March 2012 in the Ballymascanlon House Hotel Dundalk. We have put together a full and exciting programme with a line up of high profile national and international expert speakers. Will you please let me know if you would liketo attend this FREE event.
This major half day conference is a must for all tourist providers, cross border workers and all those involved in the tourism sector. The programme covers a wide agenda of high profile speakers from Tourism Ireland, College of Arts and Tourism in Dublin Institute of Technology, the Eden Project in Cornwall and Louth Local Authorities. The conference will expand on the key issues and the collaborative actions required to maximise a regions social and investment potential, as a major tourism destination.
Participants will include representatives from tourism sectors along with funding bodies, public sector representatives, business organisations, educational institutions, cross border organizations and local authorities.
Dundalk Chamber is part of a European Commission network called EURES (European Employment Services). EURES advisers are trained specialists who provide information and guidance to jobseekers and employers interested in the European labour market and Cross Border Working.
For further information or to book your free place at this event pleases contact Brenda or Annemarie at (042) 9336343 or e-mail brenda@dundalk.ie Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
Please note there is no charge for this event but booking is essential. Brochure attached.
Louth Jobs & Advice Fair
Louth Local Authorities and Louth County Enterprise Board working with Dundalk & Drogheda Chambers of Commerce in conjunction with EURES Cross Border Partnership are organising a LOUTH JOBS & ADVICE FAIR in The Marshes Shopping Centre Friday 9th March 2012 10am - 7pm
Participating:
– Cross Border Employers
– European Advisors (Jobs in Europe)
– Business Start-up & Welfare Advisers
– Education/Training Providers from
– both sides of the border
Admission Free
For more information :
Contact Brenda Tel: 042 93 36343 Email brenda@dundalk.ie
YourLocal.ie
YourLocal.ie provides Louth Local Authorities with an Online Business Directory and is offering a Standard Listing at no cost to all Businesses in Ireland.
YourLocal.ie, the online business directory is delighted to partner with Louth Local Authorities which includes Louth County Council, Dundalk Town Council, Drogheda Borough Council and Ardee Town Council by powering an Online Business Directory for the county which is available on the council website. This will give users of Louth Local Authorities website direct accessibility to relevant categories to help them search for local services and amenities in the area such as accountants, plumbers, restaurants etc.
Also, all businesses in Louth and throughout Ireland will be pleased to know that during these tough economic times they are all entitled to a Standard Listing at no cost on YourLocal.ie which will capture your business name, address, telephone number etc. It will also highlight if you are a member of an association as well as shared links to social media networks such as Facebook, Twitter, digg.com, etc.
If anyone would like to avail of this free listing, please contact Lo-call 1890 55 77 99
Email: tellmemore@yourlocal.ie and quote Louth Local Authorities or visit www.yourlocal.ie/business
www.yourlocal.ie
Dundalk Chamber News
Join our dynamic Business Networking Group and Grow Your Business
Dundalk Chamber in association with Malone & Co Hosts their B2B meetings on the 2nd + 4th Tuesday
Of every month in the Oriel Shared Services Office Finnabair Industrial Park (beside Digiweb)
Business to Business or B2B is the buzz word today!!
We provide a structured, supportive business environment in which local business people can get together to network, learn valuable new marketing skills and develop the strong personal relationships that lead to trust and the consequent generation of significant business for each other.
Meetings are held every second and fourth Tuesday every month at the same venue and at the same time.
We would be delighted should you wish to attend as a Guest!
Meeting Agenda:
7.15am Informal Networking
7.30am Mention apologies, welcome guests and pass business card folder
7.35am Start 60 second business pitch
8.00am Introduce member for 10 minute member presentation:
8.10am Questions & Answers/Suggestions
8.15am Pass out referrals, give testimonials and mention 1 to 1’s
8.25am Any other business
8.30 am Confirm member presentation for next meeting
8.30 am Informal Networking
If you would like to attend these meetings and participate please call Kate or Catherine in Dundalk Chamber on 042-9336343 or email kate@dundalk.ie only one person per category allowed so call and we will let you know if there is a vacancy for you!
Job Vacancies Section
http://www.dundalkchamber.ie/ has now published new job vacancies sections. This website is getting on average 8000 visits a month!
To advertise any job vacancies please email the job description and contact information to vacancies@dundalk.ie. Vacancies are automatically removed from the site after 1 month, at which time you must send us another email if the vacancy still exists.
If you have any questions please call me on 0429336343 or email webmaster@dundalk.ie Please note there is no charge for this free advert for chamber members. If you are not a member and would like to join the fee is very minimal just ask for Kate and Brenda for details on fee.
Job Bridge
JobBridge is a new National Internship Scheme that will provide work experience placements for interns for a 6 or 9 month period.
The aim of the National Internship Scheme is to assist in breaking the cycle where jobseekers are unable to get a job without experience, either as new entrants to the labour market after education or training or as unemployed workers wishing to learn new skills. The scheme will also give people a real opportunity to gain valuable experience to bridge the gap between study and the beginning of their working lives.
The scheme will provide for up to 5,000 work experience placements in the private, public and voluntary sectors. This will be a time-limited scheme. Interns will receive an allowance of €50 per week on top of their existing social welfare entitlement. This will be payable for the period of the internship.
Download general guidelines
http://www.jobbridge.ie/
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) sets out the detailed workings of the Strategic Alliance between Newry and Mourne District Council and the Louth Local Authorities which will seek to support and promote the economic development and competitiveness of the region.
The key objectives of the Strategic Alliance are:
§ To promote, strengthen and stimulate the social, cultural and economic links within and between the peoples of the region;
§ To provide an enabling framework to promote the region more effectively for inward investment and open up further opportunities for the sharing of services and coordinated management of key resources;
§ To consolidate the long-established working relationships between the Parties, positioning them on a strategic long-term footing, and with an outward looking focus;
§ To coordinate core functions of the Parties in selected areas of co-operation;
§ To enhance the leadership position of the Parties within the cross-border region and bolster their influencing and coordinating role for the benefit of the entire community;
§ To develop links with other local authorities and regional stakeholders.
Purpose of MOU
§ To outline the key themes under which closer collaboration and joint actions will be pursued;
§ To elaborate the arrangements for co-operation between the local authorities, including supporting structures and decision making mechanisms;
§ To define a number of reciprocal activities to be undertaken by the local authorities.
Memorandum of Understanding Strategic Alliance
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