Local Enterprise Office to host event for trading on line voucher scheme

Pictured at the launch of the Digital Voucher Scheme, Margaret Durand (Dungarvan Enterprise Centre Manager), Tom Banville (Head of Wexford LEO), Pat Rabbitte TD (Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources) and Ciaran Cullen (Waterford LEO)

The Trading Online Voucher scheme is designed to help small companies to access the opportunities open to them through trading online.  This will help companies in Waterford City and County to access new markets so that they can grow and create more jobs.

Ciaran Cullen of the Local Enterprise Office in Waterford City emphasises the importance of the vouchers, “This scheme has evolved from and improves on any of the previous website funding available. It matches the current requirements for modern websites including the need for promotion via adwords.”

The Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) will be the key delivery partner working with the Department of Communications in implementing this scheme.  Waterford LEO will play a critical role in ensuring the success of this scheme, which is designed to develop and grow existing and new business in their area of responsibility. 

Minister Rabbitte commented on the voucher scheme: “Far too much on-line business goes to suppliers from abroad.  We want to ensure the companies who access government support to go on-line will get the most from it.  We are working with the Local Enterprise Office to up-skill their personnel.  We are helping them understand how digital impacts on logistics, marketing, search engine optimisation, payments and other aspects of small business.  This will help to ensure mentors and staff in each LEO will be well geared up to guide applicant companies all over Ireland to use the investment wisely, grow their businesses, start exporting and ultimately increase employment”

As part of the National Digital Strategy, on Thursday the 26th of June the Local Enterprise Office is hosting a free Digital Voucher Information morning in Dungarvan Enterprise Centre, from 8am to 1pm.  An expression of Interest form is available from your Local Enterprise Office in Waterford and Dungarvan. Attendance at this information morning is mandatory for your digital voucher application.

The Information morning will include items such as targeting customers on line, search engine optimisation and social media marketing.

The Digital voucher process is competitive and there are € 62,500 worth of vouchers available in Waterford for this Pilot phase. Applications will be processed during June and July.  An evaluation committee will meet in late July to decide on successful applicants.  Successful applicants will be informed in writing in late July and should not begin before receiving this letter as applying is not a guarantee of success.

There are only 50 places available for this event so even though the event is free, booking using the expression of interest form is essential.

For more information or to collect your expression of interest form please contact your Local Enterprise Office at 32 the Mall in Waterford City or the Civic Offices in Dungarvan. Alternatively you can email info@leo.waterfordcouncil.ie .