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LOCAL ENTERPRISE OFFICE

Economic Development, Business Support & Tourism Report

for Carlow County Council

July 2018

The Local Enterprise Office is charged with the provision of business support, economic development and tourism of County Carlow with a variety of stakeholders as defined under the Local Enterprise Development Plan, Action Plan for Jobs and other strategy documents. The office operates under a Service Level Agreement with Enterprise Ireland and covers 4 main functions:

Business Information & Advisory Services

Enterprise Support Services

Entrepreneurship Support Services

Local Enterprise Development Services

The Tourism Activities are co-ordinated and developed by Carlow Tourism CLG who is supported by Carlow County Council under its annual allocation and funded projects provided by Carlow County Council. The activities of the Local Enterprise Office are funded by Enterprise Ireland, Carlow County Council, Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Department of Rural & Community Development, European Union and Fáilte Ireland. The following report covers a snapshot of activity for the period January – June 2018 and reviews some elements of forward planning and includes:

Annual Employment Survey 2017

Staff Changes

Approvals & Evaluation Committee Changes

Business Support Programme

Direct Financial Assistance

Business Support & Enterprise Awareness

Economic Development

Brexit

Representation & Committees

EU Projects – Catalyst

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Supporting the “My Carlow” Process / Carlow Town Regeneration

General Overview of Town &Village Renewal Scheme 2018

Competitive & EU Funding

Foreign Direct Investment

Forward Planning

Annual Employment Survey 2017 The following employment figures were announced by the Minister in respect of Carlow’s Measure 1 (Financial Assistance) Jobs Performance for 2017:

LEO NAME

2017 No of LEO Clients

2017 Cli-ent

All Jobs Total (FT & PT)*

2017 Gross

All Job Gains

(FT & PT)*

2017 Net

All Job Gains

(FT & PT)*

Carlow 216 1128 187 95

Staffing Changes (January-June 2018) Anna Byrne retired as Senior Enterprise Development Officer during this period. A replacement has been appointed and will commence during Qtr. 3, 2018. In the interim Pauline Hoctor is Acting Senior Enterprise Development Officer. Following an open competition Helen Ryan was appointed Economic Development Officer with Carlow County Council. The Economic Development Officer is a new role in Carlow County Council and is responsible for the development of new funding opportunities and the roll out of revenue and externally funded economic development projects. Following an open competition Gabrielle Carroll was appointed European Project Officer with Carlow County Council. The European Project Officer is a new role in Carlow County Council and is responsible for the delivery and development of EU funded projects and opportunities.

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Approvals & Evaluation Committee Changes

As required under the Service Level Agreement with Enterprise Ireland a public call for members of the Approvals & Evaluation Committee was conducted in 2018. The following people were nominated to the committee and approved by the Chief Executive in line with the terms of reference for the committee:

Mr. Michael Condon – Industry / Enterprise Background

Ms. Rosemary Ward - Industry / Enterprise Background Following the development of a Local Agreement in respect of the LEADER programme, Clare O’Shea was nominated onto the Approvals & Evaluation Committee and Pauline Hoctor from the Local Enterprise Office was nominated to the Leader Evaluation Committee as required for the reciprocal arrangement to ensure effective investment within both funding programmes. Anne Lennon & Olive Nolan retired from the Approvals and Evaluation committee following the end of the term. The current members of the Approvals & Evaluation Committee are:

Ms. Bernie O'Brien – Chairperson

Mr. Brian Fives – Enterprise Ireland

Mr. Brian Ogilvie

Mr. John Brophy

Ms. Clare O Shea

Mr. Michael Condon

Ms. Rosemary Ward

Mr. Jerry O'Driscoll The Evaluation & Approvals Committee are a voluntary committee. A further 2 members will be replaced each year in line with the requirements of the Service Level Agreement.

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Business Support Programme: The Business Support Programme is funded by Enterprise Ireland and is broken into 2 elements. The first element is direct financial assistance and the second element is business support & enterprise awareness Direct Financial Assistance For the period 1st January 2018 – 30th June 2018 the Local Enterprise Office approved €165,000 worth of financial assistance to start up and developing companies. Business Support & Enterprise Awareness For the period 1st January 2018 – 30th June 2018 the Local Enterprise Office provided the following business support services:

Provided 35 Training Courses & Networking Events with 401 participants.

124 One to One Business Advice Meetings were conducted with the project executive.

162 Expert Mentoring & Business Development Advice Sessions.

Enterprise Week was hosted with five key events aimed at increasing the awareness of Enterprise Supports in the County.

National Enterprise Awards was hosted at Local & National Level with 10 client companies being presented for County Final and Burren Precast Limited winning Exporter of the Year at the National Final of the National Enterprise Awards

Student Enterprise Programme was facilitated with 10 schools participating in the competition and Tullow Community School representing County Carlow in the National Final in May in Croke Park.

LEAN for Micro facilitated with Wexford County Council and the completion of the 2017 LEAN for Micro Project Group

Management Development Programme with 20 participants completed including QQI certification with IT Carlow.

Solo-E Business Development Programme with 30 Entrepreneurs attending the networking elements and 10 individuals participating in the business development programme. Solo-E Business Survey to be conducted during July/August 2018 in order to build a business

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case for future funding and development of Solo-Entrepreneurs in County Carlow

Design 4 Growth regional programme facilitated by project executive which includes four County Carlow Companies.

Mach Educational Trade Mission facilitated with eleven participants from the Engineering Sector examining new technologies for business development.

International Festival of Business Educational Trade Mission facilitated with eleven representatives from County Carlow including IT Carlow & County Carlow Chamber and including Business Brokerage by Liverpool Enterprise Partnership.

MTEX Educational Trade Mission facilitated 8 companies in sales, marketing and technology to develop new opportunities in the marketplace and examine investment in sales and marketing prospects.

FORM Design & Craft Cluster: Renewal of Membership of FORM Craft Cluster including the redevelopment of support programme to include photography, business development supports and support for two trade shows.

Food Sector Training & Needs Analysis: A food & drink sector evaluation session was held with 40 companies to inform the Agri-Food Tourism Funding Application Process and Catayst Programme

GDPR Chamber & CK Skillnet: 50 companies attended GDPR training provided by County Carlow Chamber in association with CK Skillnet & Carlow County Council’s Local Enterprise Office.

Chamber Trade Connections: Sponsorship of County Carlow Chamber Trade Connections Event which aims to support the development of international links with County Carlow companies.

Burnside Sub Supplier Event: in partnership with Enterprise Ireland, a Sub Supplier Event was held in order to develop capacity within the Sub Supply Sector with a view to enabling investment and development of County Carlow Engineering Companies.

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Economic Development

Festivals & Events Fund & Micro Fund: a call for applications was conducted and a Micro Festival Fund Training Programme & Pitch Event resulted in the full allocation of the Council Revenue Budget.

Streetscape Paint Scheme: a call for applications resulted in a full allocation of the Streetscape Paint Scheme Budget.

Commuter Study: a commuter study was launched to enable the marketing of County Carlow in a more Direct Format to FDI type companies. Over 700 respondents to date and the survey will close in Mid-July for publication in September 2018.

Development of Carlow Business Brand: following a tender process CDG was awarded the tender to develop a County Carlow Business Brand which will be launched in September / October 2018.

Development of Big Idea Strategy: the “Big Idea” Strategy was launched and thirty five ideas were submitted for development and consideration. At present seven business cases and a final report is being prepared for future development and funding. This process will be completed in July 2018.

Development of Town Centre Framework for Tullow & Bagenalstown: as part of the Town &Village Renewal Scheme, a Town Centre Key Project Strategy/Framework is being developed by Future Analytics Consulting. Following consultation these reports will be completed in July 2018.

Bee Visible & Lamp Post Banner Project: the Local Enterprise Office manage the contract for Bee Visible & Lamp Post Banners in Carlow Town. This is licensed to Sign Management Services.

Development of Ducketts Grove Marketing & Development Strategy: the executive in partnership with the Community & Amenity Section has supported the development of the Ducketts Grove Marketing & Development Strategy.

Diaspora & Twinning & International Links: the executive played an active part in recent visits from Dole (France) & Tempe (Arizona) with a view to developing economic projects and links as part of the Diaspora & Twinning arrangements. This can be defined as foundation developments which will be progressed over the coming months. During the summer months, the LEO Executive will receive three delegations from Local Government in China in respect of best practice exchange on enterprise supports.

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Social Media & Communications: the executive co-ordinate the social media accounts of Carlow County Council and the Local Enterprise Office. Monthly KPI reports are produced to ensure effective utilisation of social media opportunities.

Brexit Carlow Local Enterprise Office are offering client companies support in relation to the implications Brexit may have on their businesses. The Lo-cal Enterprise Office’s objective is to encourage companies to prepare and plan for Brexit through offering a suite of financial and non-financial supports to assist in focusing on things they can influence and change themselves. Through building the resilience to deal with any kind of Brexit via competitiveness, innovation, market development, financial manage-ment and collaboration they can prepare for Brexit now.

The first step for preparation is to conduct an assessment of areas of po-tential risk and opportunity arising from Brexit and to develop an action plan. Following on from this the Local Enterprise Office have a Technical Assis-tance for Micro Exporters Grant that companies can apply for. This grant of €2,500, 50% support against a maximum of €5,000, can assist business to develop and prepare for new market opportunities. It will part fund costs that can be incurred in investigating and researching export mar-kets.

The Local Enterprise Office will also run a ‘Lean for Micro’ training pro-gramme with one to one mentoring to support innovation in micro enter-prise with a view to increasing performance and competitiveness. This may also assist in getting investor ready to scale businesses. Lean is about focussing on effectiveness and efficiency across all areas of a busi-ness and works more effectively when it becomes part of an overall busi-ness strategy.

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Representation & Committees

The LEO Executive represent Carlow County Council on the following bodies and working groups:

Carlow Early Years Training Company CLG

Carlow Local Community Development Committee

Diaspora & Twinning Committee

South East Regional Skills Forum

South East Action Plan for Jobs Implementation Committee

South East Action Plan for Jobs Action Monitoring Committee

Carlow Community Enterprise Centres CLG

LEO National Steering Group

LEO Communications Committee

LEO Showcase & NPA Committee EU Projects – Catalyst Catalyst is a €1.7m pilot scheme to drive innovation within Welsh and Irish businesses in the life science and food and drink sectors and will be an-nounced by Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths on 1st March 2018. The project is currently in development stage and will be launched in Sep-tember 2018. Supported through the EU’s Ireland Wales Cooperation Programme, the University of Wales Trinity Saint David will lead the scheme alongside WRAP Cymru, the Institute of Technology, Carlow, Tip-perary County Council and Carlow County Council. https://gov.wales/newsroom/environmentandcountryside/2018/180301-1.7m-scheme-is-the-catalyst-for-success-for-irish-and-welsh-businesses/?ts=4&lang=en

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Supporting the “My Carlow” Process / Carlow Town Regeneration The executive in the Local Enterprise Office has supported the “My Carlow” project team on the cross functional basis which has included a variety of project elements. A property survey has been completed for Carlow Town Centre looking at vacant property and its availability from a commercial viewpoint. In tandem with this process the executive has:

Development of Town Centre Forum: Terms of Reference for the Town Centre Forum have been developed and will be progressed during July/August 2018 to plan for a project planning day in September 2018.

Promotion & Awareness of Free Parking Project: the Executive is currently running an awareness campaign around the free parking arrangements in Plás na Saoirse (Haddens Car Park).

Carlow Town Centre Busking Competition: The LEO Executive and a cross functional team will run nine days of a busking competiton during Summer 2018 as a pilot to generate footfall in Carlow Town Centre. This activity is co-ordinated and led by the LEO offices.

Carlow Town Centre – Family Fun Days: the LEO Executive and a cross functional team will run nine days of a family fun events on Lower Tullow Street during Summer 2018 as a pilot to generate footfall in Carlow Town Centre. This activity is co-ordinated and led by the LEO offices. This project is being run in partnership with County Carlow Chamber and nine local retailers.

Tullow Street Start Up Grant Scheme: a pilot Start Up Grant Scheme is provided in the Annual Budget and to date one application has been received. The scheme will be reviewed at the next SPC meeting.

National Promotion of Vacant Property: The executive in partnership with Kehoe Auctioneers promoting the County Carlow Property Solutions Offering in the Sunday Business Post.

Hanging Basket Assistance: Carlow County Council provided financial assistance to County Carlow Chamber to provide free hanging baskets to Carlow Town premises.

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General Overview of Town & Village Renewal Scheme 2018

As part of the Town & Village Scheme for 2017/18, eleven project areas

were selected for an allocation of €884,487.84. Following the awarding

of the funding, a community meeting was held in order to develop the roll

out process for the scheme. At present over 80% of the projects are in

the process of completion with the balance being completed by end

October 2018. These projects will have a long term sustainable effect on

communities and act as a catalyst for future community and business

sector development. A cross functional team is coordinated by the Local

Enterprise Office who lead on the scheme.

The areas selected in the scheme were:

• Bennekerry / Duckett’s Grove / Brownshill Area

• Ballyellen / Ballymurphy / Borris / Rathanna

• Tullow

• St. Mullins

• Myshall

• Carrigduff

• Hacketstown

• Rathoe

• Bagenalstown

• Ballon

• Ballinabrannagh / Milford / Raheendoran / Leighlinbridge

Samples of Projects include

• Duckett’s Grove Strategy – In Progress

• GEO Survey – In Progress

• Tourism Boards – In Progress

• Finger Post Signs – In Progress

• Upgrade of Heritage Gardens – In Progress

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• Walking Product Development – In Progress

• River Access Feasibility Study – In Progress

• Digital PPN Project – In Progress

• Business & Tourism Facilitation Programme – In Progress

• Installation of CCTV & Purple Flag

• Development of Age Friendly Parking Bays – In Progress

• Focused Paint Scheme – In Progress

• Tullow Traders Business Support Fund & Programme – In Pro-

gress

• Development of Summer Festival -– In Progress

• Town Plan – In Progress

• Interactive Tourism Map – In Progress

• Conservation Works at St. Mullins Heritage Centre

• Development of Interactive Kiosk – In Progress

• Traffic Calming Project – In Progress

• Pathway from St. Bridget’s to Church – In Progress

• Existing Link Route from Access Gate to the Adelaide Church –

In Progress

• Signage - Directional & Themed – In Progress

• Tourism Guide Training – In Progress

• Two Statues - St. Finian & St. Columbanus– In Progress

• Redevelopment of Amenity Area – In Progress

• Upgrade of Playground Equipment– In Progress

• Development of Nature Area & Planting at Playground Area– In

Progress

• Provision of Fencing at Lucy's Wood– In Progress

• Development of Footpath– In Progress

• Community Training Hub– In Progress

• Trails & Tourism Boards– In Progress

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• R-Innovate / INSPIRE– In Progress

• Development of Heritage Trail and River Marketing– In Pro-

gress

• Development of Boulevard– In Progress

• Development of Community Centre– In Progress

• Village Safety Enhancements– In Progress

• Development of Meeting Place (Shop) – In Progress

• Feasibility Study to Examine River Potential & Development– In

Progress

Project Balances and completion plans will be carried out during July

2018 and communities and members advised of any delivery issues.

The following are some images of progress to date with the projects:

Myshall Tourism Guide Training, QQI Level 4 in Tourism Visitor Care

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Ducketts Grove Gardens – Re-Planting Programme

Myshall Footpath Works in Progress

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Launch Images of R-Innovate Mentoring Programme

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Competitive & EU Funding

During June 2018 , the Local Enterprise Office submitted proposals under

the Town & Village Renewal Scheme , Intergg Europe and the Regional

Enterprise Development Fund. Total Funding Applications Submitted

totalled €3,365,184.

Town & Village Renewal Scheme 2018/19

Ardattin €100,000

Bagenalstown € 99,600

Ballinkillen/Lorum € 71,332

Clonmore € 68,732

Grange € 51,218

Kildavin €100,000

Myshall € 99,207

Old Leighlin € 77,266

Tinnahinch € 99,532

Tinryland €100,000

Tullow € 96,097

Ducketts Grove €200,000 Total €1,162,984

Regional Enterprise Development Fund €1,843,200.

Carlow County Council under the Regional Enterprise Development Fund submitted a proposal via a CLG company called The County Carlow Eco-nomic and Incubation Development Company, which proposes to develop a co-working studio and scale up space in Carlow Town in the Perry’s Site.

Interreg Europe- DEPRAME €158,000

An Interreg Europe application was submitted with EU Partners for the

development and promotion of new archaeological sites and monuments

in Europe

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Interreg Europe –CREATELLE €201,000

An Interreg Europe project application was submitted with EU Partners

which places emphasizes the value of policies to support female

entrepreneurs, to reduce local differences in economic and social policies,

promoting female entrepreneurship in research and development policies,

as well as for access to information on the European instruments and

programs dedicated to SMEs.

Funding Opportunities

The Executive of the Local Enterprise Office are currently examining

funding options in terms of Europe for Citizens (Town Twinning), Interreg

North West Europe , Erasmus +. The executive will prepare a revised

Local Enterprise Development Plan and present same to the Strategic

Policy Committee for 2019-2021 during Qtr. 3 & 4, 2018.

Foreign Direct Investment

The executive is actively engaged with IDA in respect of marketing County

Carlow as a location for Foreign Direct Investment. On an ongoing basis

this work includes:

Regular updates from IDA in respect of projects and potential

projects

Engagement with IDA and other stakeholders in respect of

information and solution provision for potential FDI projects.

Maintenance of an active property database with up to date market

information.

Development of Sector Specific Marketing Materials.

Engagement with Connect Ireland in respect of their programme.

Engagement with Private Landlords and their agents in respect of

property solutions.

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As the members are aware this work is undertaken on a confidential basis

with the Executive, IDA and interested parties. The executive has actively

kept members up to date with any jobs expansions of our current FDI

clients and developments. The IDA have been requested to present to

Council in September 2018. There is no update in respect of the

Advanced Property Solution for County Carlow.

Forward Planning

The following are a number of the key actions in forward planning at

present:

Direct FDI & Marketing Plan: following the completion of the

Business Brand it is proposed to reach out to our diaspora and

international links to directly promote County Carlow.

National Womens’ Enterprise Day: Carlow & Kilkenny County

Council will host a National Womens’ Enterpise Day Challenge

Event in October 2018.

R-Innovate Community & Business Events: two R-Innovate Network

Events will be hosted in Ballon and Bagenalstown in October 2018

which will feature panels of national speakers and participants of the

R-Innovate Progamme.

Bank of Ireland Enterprise Towns: the executive will support the five

Carlow towns of Clonegal, Myshall, Ballon, Bagenalstown and

Carlow town in the Bank of Ireland Enterprise Towns judging in

August 2018. The final event is scheduled in November 2018 in

Kilkenny.

Celebrating Excellence: the executive is currently developing a

“Celebrating Excellence” event to be hosted in Autumn/Winter 2018

which showcases the achievements of 12 County Carlow

companies during 2018.

Keith Barry Business to Business Networking Event: Carlow /

Kilkenny & Kildare Local Enterpise Offices in partnership with

Carlow Kilkenny Skillnets will host a Business After Hours

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Networking Event with Keith Barry on 29th November 2018 in

Carlow. Full details and launch will be scheduled in

September/October 2018.

Educational Trade Mission – Top Drawer: the Local Enterprise

Office will facilitate five Carlow Design & Craft Professionals to

attend Top Drawer in London in September with a view to

developing their international links and connections.

Educational Trade Mission – SIAL France: the Local Enterprise

Office will facilitate five Carlow Companies to attend SIAL Food

Innovation Show in Paris in October with a view to developing

Innovation in Food & Drink in County Carlow companies.

Launch of Catalyst (Wales): the Catalyst Programme will be officially

launched in Wales in October.

Solo-E Business Research: the Local Enterprise Office will conduct

research into Solo- Entrepreneur in 2018 with a view to developing

future programmes and entrepreneur opportunities for

entrepreneurs who choose to work alone.

Craft & Design Sector Research: As part of the FORM work for 2018

a three year strategy for the development of Design & Craft

Professionals will be conducted in order to ascertain the suitable

level of investment and output from the sector for projects going

forward.

Carlow’s Culinary Christmas: a revised Carlow’s Culinary Christmas

will be hosted on 6th,7th and 8th December 2018. This year, activities

will include two chef demonstrations, a Food Producers’ Exhibition,

day-time activities for young people and a Saturday night “Ready

Steady Cook” experience.