Announcement of New Innovation Officer
OMAGH LED CROSS-BORDER INNOVATION ENTERPRISE INITIATIVE ANNOUNCE £3.2 MILLION
FANCY TRANSFORMING AN IDEA INTO AN OPPORTUNITY?
Press Release Announcement of New Innovation Officer Leitrim County Enterprise Fund is delighted to announce the appointment of Hilary McPartland as Innovation Officer. Hilary will manage the Innovation and Enterprise Programme (IEP) which is a joint cross border initiative with Omagh. The aim of the programme is to support the creation and development of innovative/technology-oriented businesses in the Leitrim area. Hilary joins the programme with extensive experience of working with the SME sector, namely with the Innovation Centre at IT Sligo and with Sligo Chamber. Previously, Hilary also managed the Business Transition Programme with Leitrim and Sligo County Enterprise Boards.
“We welcome Hilary as a very important member of our team. She will play a key role in the development of the Innovation and Enterprise Programme. The programme includes the construction of a state-of-the-art Technology Enterprise Centre in Carrick-on-Shannon which is a major boost to the region” said Joe Lowe, Secretary of Leitrim County Enterprise Fund. Commenting on her appointment, Hilary McPartland said “The programme will promote and assist innovative businesses by offering a wide range of business supports services. This is a very exiting initiative and I very much look forward to working with the local business community.” A native of Sligo, Hilary is a business graduate from IT Sligo and also holds a BA in Human Resource Management from the National College of Ireland. Hilary is also currently completing a Masters in Marketing with IT Sligo.
Press Release OMAGH LED CROSS-BORDER INNOVATION ENTERPRISE INITIATIVE ANNOUNCE £3.2 MILLION
A new enterprise initiative, valued at £3.23 million, has been announced. The Innovation Enterprise Initiative has received £2.27 million from the European Union’s INTERREG IVA Programme.
The initiative is a cross-border EU programme which will further advance the economic links between Omagh, Leitrim, and the wider cross-border ICBAN region and beyond. It will be led by Omagh District Council, in partnership with Omagh Enterprise Company, Leitrim County Council and Leitrim Enterprise Body and has been developed by the Irish Central Border Area Network (ICBAN) Ltd through their Multi Annual Plan
The £3.23 Initiative will involve the construction of an Innovation Growth Centre at Omagh Enterprise Company and a Technology Enterprise Centre at Leitrim County Enterprise Board. The new state of the art buildings in Omagh and Leitrim will provide facilities for 35 early/new and expanding businesses. It is expected that up to 250 jobs will be created between the two centres by the end of the three year programme.
In addition to the construction work, two Innovation Officers will be recruited through the programme to support the innovative and technical development of new companies entering the “Innovation Growth Centre” in Omagh and the “Technology Enterprise Centre” in Leitrim.
The initiative builds upon previous successes through cross-border collaboration, notably under the Innovate programme funded by the earlier EU INTERREG IIIA programme for Ireland/Northern Ireland.
Omagh District Council, Chairman Cllr Declan McAleer, welcomed this major announcement at this time of economic fluctuation, saying “the initiative will create much needed construction work in Omagh and Leitrim in the short term and in the medium term will provide new state of the art buildings to support new, expanding and high tech businesses in the ICBAN region”
Echoing these remarks the Leitrim County Council, Cathaoirleach Cllr Frank Dolan welcomed announcement of this initiative as a recognition of the continued partnership working with Omagh and the wider ICBAN region. He indicated that the programme would support the growth and expansion of exciting new businesses that would in turn create new employment opportunities and would act as a stimulus to future economic growth in the cross border region.
These remarks have been endorsed by the Chairman of the Omagh Enterprise Company, Professor Fabian Monds on whose site the Innovation Growth Centre will be built. Professor Monds welcomed the development and highlighted the fact that it would help to create new businesses and jobs for the area. He also highlighted the importance of the company’s mission to promote enterprise and support start-up growth and innovative businesses in the current challenging environment and that he looked forward to working with Leitrim in bringing the project to fruition.
Concluding, the Chairman of Leitrim Enterprise Board, Ms Jackie Maguire added that the project funding is very welcome at this time and looks forward to working with Omagh and Leitrim County Enterprise Fund in the development of the new Technology centre catering for growth in the ‘Smart Economy’.
FANCY TRANSFORMING AN IDEA INTO AN OPPORTUNITY?
Leitrim County Enterprise Fund is hosting a cross-border seminar on “How to Identify, Research & Develop New Business Ideas”, in The Bush Hotel, Carrick on Shannon, Co Leitrim, on Wednesday 5th September 2012 from 9:30am-12:30pm. The seminar is part of the Innovation and Enterprise Programme (IEP), which is a Cross-border initiative part-financed by the European Union’s INTERREG IVA Programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
The objective of the seminar is to help people understand the process which transforms an idea into an opportunity. It will teach people the skills necessary to investigate and evaluate a new product or service idea prior to market launch. In speaking of the seminar, Hilary McPartland, Innovation Officer with Leitrim County Enterprise Fund said “This free event is an excellent opportunity for anyone looking for new opportunities. It is about putting practical use to our natural skills and talents so that we can avail of the opportunities that always surround us”.
Should you attend? This workshop is specifically designed for individuals; micro-enterprises and SME’s that have an idea for a new product or service and don’t know what to do next. It is also excellent for people actively seeking opportunities but as yet don’t have any ideas. This engaging and practical workshop will teach you how to get into that process.
The seminar will be delivered by Terence Daly who has 17 years’ experience in new product development, innovation and marketing. Terence has developed and marketed his own unique range of DIY products and has also worked for other companies developing and marketing industrial electronic products. He currently runs a training company “Think Twice” which teaches programs on innovation, creativity and new product development and people development.
The IEP programme is being led by the Irish Central Border Area Network (ICBAN) in partnership with Omagh District Council, Leitrim County Enterprise Fund, Leitrim County Enterprise Board, Leitrim County Council and Omagh Enterprise Company.
For further information or to register your interest please contact Hilary McPartland, Innovation Officer, Leitrim County Enterprise Fund on 071-96 20450 or by Email at hilary@leitrimenterprise.ie.
You can also find more information and register for the seminar at www.leitrimenterprise.ie.
