06/06/2002

Community Business Start-up Programme relaunched

Chair of the Assembly's Enterprise Trade and Investment Committee Pat Doherty has relaunched a revamped Community Business Start-up Programme.

Speaking at the launch Mr Doherty said the programme would provide an "invaluable package of business support to those voluntary and community groups in our most deprived areas who are contemplating setting up a business".

He added: "The Community Business Start-Up Programme was originally established by LEDU in 1992. Following an integral review it has been revised incorporating a number of improvements, while retaining the original objectives. This launch will not only heighten the profile of the revised programme/demonstration within the context of both the Social Economy Strategy and the Interdepartmental strategy for the community and voluntary sector."

The programme is supported by £2.6m by the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation. A key feature of the Programme is the support of a consortium of local delivery agents (Local Enterprise Agents) provided to groups throughout the application process, right up to the first two years of trading of the new businesses.

Mr Doherty added: "The new programme is targeting the creation of 51 viable businesses and 153 additional local employment opportunities over the next two years.

"I would encourage community and voluntary groups to see this programme as a gateway to sustainability for their respective projects and I would encourage groups in the social sector to explore the potential of this programme, no matter how big or small their business proposal is."

The consortium comprises of five key agents, with a number of subcontractors. Larne Enterprise Development Company (LEDCOM) has been appointed as the lead agent for the consortium. The other agents are Newry and Mourne Enterprise Agency, Omagh Enterprise Company, Workspace and Workwest.

(MB)

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