Enterprise Office welcome expansion of business supports
THE Kerry Local Enterprise Office has welcomed the announcement of a major expansion of supports for businesses impacted by COVID-19, including an expansion of the Trading Online Voucher Scheme and a reduction in the interest rate for Microfinance Ireland loans.
Among the provisions is the expansion of the €2,500 Trading Online Voucher Scheme through Local Enterprise Offices, for businesses employing up to 10 people.
An additional €3.3 million is being provided to the scheme bringing the total available nationally to €5.6 million.
Local businesses in Kerry that previously benefitted from the Trading Online Voucher Scheme can now apply for a second voucher of up to €2,500, with co-funding of 10 per cent.
These vouchers can be used to help add payment or booking systems to websites, along with subscriptions to lowcost online retailing platform solutions.
A substantial reduction in interest rates on Microfinance Ireland loans was also announced, bringing the rate down to 4.5 per cent, where applications are made through Local Enterprise Offices.
COVID-19 Business Loans of up to
€50,000 are available from Microfinance Ireland with no repayments and no interest charged in the first six months, for eligible businesses that employ less than 10 people.
Head of the Kerry Local Enterprise Office, Tomás Hayes said the measures will help to meet the varying needs of Irish enterprise and they are very specifically targeted by size, sector and need.
“For many local businesses, the options for trading are very limited as a result of COVID-19. However, there are a lot of opportunities in online selling and by accessing this Trading Online
Voucher scheme, small businesses can develop a sustainable strategy for increasing sales,’ said Mr Hayes.
‘If your business needs access to finance, applying for microfinance loans through Local Enterprise Office Kerry will secure the lowest available rate and you will get valuable assistance in the application process and free oneto-one mentoring along the way,’ Mr Hayes added.
Full details about supports available through the Kerry LEO are available at LocalEnterprise.ie/Kerry by emailing leo@kerrycoco.ie or at 066 7183522.