Businesses across North and West Cork are being encouraged to take advantage of the array of events and topics at this year’s Local Enterprise Week, taking place from March 6th to 10th. In Cork county, over 31 events are scheduled to take place in person and online, covering themes such as digital, resilience, productivity and inspiration.
The theme this year is ‘Making It Happen’, focusing on helping businesses to look forward and to future proof for the years ahead. In addition to local events, Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are also hosting five national ‘Spotlight Events’ online. Taking place daily during Enterprise Week, the events are open to all small businesses and entrepreneurs, are free to join, and cover everything from digitalisation and exporting, to future proofing and boosting your business online.
Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Danny Collins, invites Cork businesses to take advantage of the weeklong series of events.
“Local Enterprise Week is the perfect opportunity for businesses to immerse themselves into a specific area of interest and gather information on a topic that may be important to their business now or in the future” said Cllr Collins.
“Our Local Enterprise Offices offer a range of supports for small businesses and start-ups. I would encourage our business owners and entrepreneurs in Cork county to engage with their LEO and to take a look at the Local Enterprise Week programme to help start or grow their business.”
ONGOING SUPPORT
Businesses across North and West Cork are being encouraged to participate, with many events being held locally, including ‘An Entrepreneur Like You’, a chance to hear from three Cork entrepreneurs in the Corrin Events Centre, Fermoy.
Online events are also being held to facilitate learning-from-home, including ’10 Steps to Self-employment’, an essential precursor to deciding if self-employment is the right path. Social media webinars are also being held to help business owner to hone their marketing skills.
Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey detailed how Cork County Council’s Local Enterprise Offices are supporting homegrown businesses,
“Our Local Enterprise Offices have supported thousands of small businesses and entrepreneurs in Cork county. Figures released for 2022 show that our Local Enterprise Offices in Cork financially supported 433 small businesses in their portfolio across the county – these companies in turn employ 2,272 people. Since their establishment in 2014 they have provided a suite of supports to small businesses including mentoring, training, sector specific expert consultancy and financial supports, to help guide businesses at any stage of their development.”
Local Enterprise Week is an annual initiative from the Local Enterprise Offices and supported by Enterprise Ireland, Local Authorities and the Government of Ireland. For more information on the week and to find information on the National Spotlight Events and specific events taking place in the county, visit www.localenterprise.ie
