Kildare County Enterprise Board

WHAT IS KILDARE COUNTY ENTERPRISE BOARD

Kildare County Enterprise Board is part of a network of 35 City and County Enterprise Boards set up by the Government in 1993.  It's aim through Grant Aid and other non-financial supports, is to establish and develop small-scale economic projects.  It is responsible for areas not already covered by State Agencies.  The Board facilitates the creation of sustainable jobs and the development of economic infrastructure at local level. 

There are fourteen members on the Board which is a partnership of social partners, elected representatives, state agencies and the community / voluntary sector.  It is serviced by an expert project evaluation committee and by a small staff. 

What assistance can the Board give?
The Enterprise Board was set up as a locally based enterprise advisory agency.  It is in effect the first “port of call” for anybody seeking information or advice.  It is also a Grant giving agency.  The Board may assist from it's budget, suitable enterprise projects which fit into it's Enterprise Action Plan.  Priority will be given to manufacturing or internationally traded services, which in time can graduate to the Enterprise Ireland portfolio.  In relation to locally provided services priority will be given to women re-entering the workforce as well as the unemployed and those recently made redundant.  Existing firms which already have a relationship with Enterprise Ireland, may not receive Grant Assistance. 

The Boards soft support programme provides management training for owners / managers of small businesses on an on-going basis.  Details of the training programmes may be obtained from any of the Board staff. 

What are the criteria for assistance?
Projects must be in the commercial sphere and must in general be capable of attaining economic viability, without ongoing Exchequer or E.U. assistance.  In particular, project promoters should be able to demonstrate that:

• There is a market for the proposed product or service.
• Adequate overall finance will be available to fund the project.
• They possess the management and technical capacity to implement the proposed project.
• Will not replace existing jobs.

Projects to be assisted should add value so as to generate income or supplement income for those involved, and should have the capacity to create new direct employment either full/part-time/seasonal, or should at minimum contribute directly to the maintenance of employment in existing small enterprises.