The funding announced last Friday through Enterprise Ireland will be crucial as the centres continue to expand their services to local start-up enterprises and entrepreneurs during what is an exceptionally difficult time.
Enterprise Centres are embedded in communities in every county in the country. They provide space and training for entrepreneurs, allowing them to work remotely, access training and advice, and network with other business leaders. The grants allocated will help the centres implement a recovery plan for businesses within their remit over the next six to twelve months.
In County Mayo funds were allocated to the following centres: (1 ) Westport Multi Agency Enterprise CLG TA Leeson Enterprise Centre will receive a grant of €74,600; (2 ) Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology Innovation Hub Mayo will receive a grant of €75,828 and (3 ) IRD North Mayo – West Sligo (t/a Moy Valley Resources ) will receive a grant of €10,200
Catherine McConnell, Director of Services Mayo County Council added: "Since its official opening less than two years ago, the Leeson Centre has provided important infrastructure and supports for entrepreneurs and working together with EI we have now secured funding to allow it to expand its range of supports and facilities to the growing enterprise ecosystem in Mayo.
"The centre which is fully occupied now tends to provide enhanced training and remote working facilities which will strengthen connectivity and complement the wide range of mentoring and support to start-up founders and teams, helping our clients to respond to the new working parameters as well as scale internationally. “
Cllr Sean Carey, Cathaoirleach of the Westport-Belmullet Municipal District: "We are delighted to receive this funding, it will help our enterprise centre modernise its remote working facilities so that all of our businesses can work to the highest standard, we also will invest in facilities to protect the health and safety of people who work."
The fund, which was launched in August, was open to both not-for-profit and for-profit enterprise centres which have seen their income significantly impacted as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
