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Economic Development

By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford Council details Sec. 254 Outdoor Furniture Grant Scheme

Waterford launched the COVID 19 Economic Recovery Plan Monday 8th June as a response to getting Waterford reopened and moving into recovery phase. A number of initiatives have been implemented as part of the recovery Plan and plans are now in place for the roll out of the Outdoor Furniture Grant scheme.

The objective of the street furniture grant scheme is to contribute to vibrant City, Town, and Village centre and assist and support the hospitality sector with a grant towards the cost of equipment in providing additional outdoor seating and accessories in reopening  post COVID-19.

A consistent and high quality standard in the street furniture will be required in order to enhance the appeal of the city, town and village centre and to create confidence in visiting and dining in city, town and village centre.

The details of the Outdoor Furniture Scheme are as follows:

  • Food and Beverage retailers who wish to avail of the Outdoor Furniture Scheme need to apply in the first instance for a S.254 licence in order to be approved to place furniture in public spaces outside premises. The application form and details of the application process are detailed on the Council’s website.   The fee for S.254 licence has been waived as a recovery measure by Waterford City and County Council.
  •  All grants will be subject to compliance with conditions of a licence granted under section 254 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) or the conditions of a relevant grant of planning permission

The following items are eligible for the grant :

  • Tables, Chairs, Umbrellas, electric heaters, screens/windbreaks, plant stands, temporary bike stands and wooden platform
  • Items must be purchased between 1st June and 31st August 2020 and payment will be made to applicants on submission of receipt  for equipment purchased. The scheme will provide up to 75% of the cost of equipment purchased / installed, with a maximum allowable contribution of €2,000 per applicant.

For further details on the scheme, please visit the Council’s website or call 0761 102020.

ENDS

By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford Council details the proposed Outdoor Furniture Grant Scheme

Waterford launched the COVID 19 Economic Recovery Plan Monday 8th June as a response to getting Waterford reopened and moving into recovery phase. A number of initiatives have been implemented as part of the recovery Plan and plans are now in place for the roll out of the Outdoor Furniture Grant scheme.

The objective of the street furniture grant scheme is to contribute to vibrant City, Town, and Village centre and assist and support the hospitality sector with a grant towards the cost of equipment in providing additional outdoor seating and accessories in reopening   post COVID 19.

A consistent and high quality standard in the street furniture will be required in order to enhance the appeal of the city, town and village centre and to create confidence in visiting and dining in city, town and village centre.

The details of the Outdoor Furniture Scheme are as follows:

  • Food and Beverage retailers who wish to avail of the Outdoor Furniture Scheme need to apply in the first instance for a S.254 licence in order to be approved to place furniture in public spaces outside premises. The application form and details of the application process are detailed on www.waterfordcouncil.ie The fee for S.254 licence has been waived as a recovery measure by Waterford City and County Council.
  •  All grants will be subject to compliance with conditions of a licence granted under section 254 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) or the conditions of a relevant grant of planning permission

The following items are eligible for the grant :

  • Tables, Chairs, Umbrellas, electric heaters, screens/windbreaks, plant stands, temporary bike stands and wooden platform
  • Items must be purchased between 1st June and 31st August 2020 and payment will be made to applicants on submission of receipt  for equipment purchased. The scheme will provide up to 75% of the cost of equipment purchased / installed, with a maximum allowable contribution of €2,000 per applicant.

For further details on the scheme, please visit www.waterfordcouncil.ie or call 0761 102020.

ENDS

By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan launched

Waterford is preparing to bounce back from the impact of the COVID-19 restrictions and is aiming to do so in a responsive and collaborative manner. Waterford’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan (Draft) launched today (Monday 8th June 2020) details a range of innovative and creative measures including:

  • pedestrianising some locations in the city and town centres
  • incentivising food and beverage retailers to develop outdoor seating areas,
  • implementing a tourism promotion campaign showcasing the Great Outdoors in Waterford,
  • mentoring professional advice and a business restart grant scheme,
  • working with arts and cultural organisations to animate the public realm,
  • installation of thermal imaging terminals to encourage safe shopping in City Centre,
  • incentivised parking in the City Centre to increase shopping dwell times,
  • promoting a Shop Waterford Support Local campaign.
  • Download the draft document here – Waterford Covid19 Economic Recovery Plan (DRAFT)

Waterford businesses are known for resilience and have shown this spirit for survival since mid March when our City and town centres essentially closed down overnight. Many excellent models of business resilience emerged and initiatives such as #LoveWaterford and Waterford Online gained national recognition for their ingenuity and clarity of message.

The clear and resounding message from Waterford business has been Shop Waterford and Support Local and a campaign with this message was launched on 19th May 2020. The campaign will continue throughout the recovery phase with a call to Waterford people to Support Local jobs by Buying Waterford whenever and wherever possible. The Waterford and Dungarvan Chamber shopping vouchers are being promoted as the Waterford Shop Local voucher scheme and local companies are being asked to support this initiative.

The Mayor of the City and County of Waterford said at the launch, “Waterford’s COVID Economic Recovery plan is about all of Waterford working together to be stronger. This plan is not just for Waterford City, or the larger towns of Dungarvan and Tramore. It is also for all the rural towns and villages from Tallow and Ballyduff in the West to Portlaw and Passage in the East and all points in between. We want to rebuild and recover as One Waterford and this plan allows us the flexibility and the focus to do this”

Waterford’s capital investment in the wide pedestrianised areas throughout our town and city centres will stand us in good stead in the recovery and re-imagining of Waterford post COVID-19.

The plan to turn our city and town centres “inside out” is well advanced with a draft funding proposal before the elected members for decision later this month. Retailers wishing to avail of the Outdoor Street Furniture scheme are urged to apply for The Outdoor Furniture Section 254 licence from today. Waterford Council is waiving the S. 254 licence fee for 2020 so as to assist all eligible businesses apply for the financial assistance under the Outdoor Street Furniture of 75% of outlay up to a maximum of €2,000.

Waterford Council presentation teams have been working throughout the COVID restrictions to ensure our public spaces are best presented for reopening on 8th June. Intensive street cleaning has been undertaken, City in Bloom flower baskets are in place, Social Distancing signage will be an aid to shoppers and along with measures by local businesses will provide safe shopping environment for both customers and staff. Waterford City and County Council working in partnership with TQS Integration from Lismore is developing a pilot Thermal Imaging Reader to add an additional level of safety for shoppers in Waterford City Centre by providing public access to thermal imaging terminals in the City Centre. Standard Operating Procedures for Reopening have been developed and are available for retailers and businesses to use when planning for reopening.

Financial supports for businesses to provide a safe environment are available from the Waterford Council COVID-19 Restart Grant alongside a wide range of supports from the Waterford LEO office. An online Business Support Hub launched in May 2020 has brought together all of the resources, support measures and best practice advice and is an excellent one stop shop for businesses. Waterford LEO is providing free online advisory HR, H&S, finance and digital clinics to any business which is in need of specific tailored advice.

The COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan includes a range of measures which the Tourism and Cultural sectors will be involved with as part of the economic recovery of Waterford. The promotion of Waterford as a location of choice for the domestic market will focus on the numerous stunning Great Outdoor amenities and activities across Waterford City and County. Cultural activities will adapt to mainly safely organised outdoor events with a focus on animating and engaging our public realm.

The wide range of measures are detailed in the Waterford COVID 19 Economic Recovery Plan which has been agreed following an extensive consultation with representatives of Waterford City and Town centre management groups, business and industry sector, retail and hospitality sector, elected members of Waterford Council, key agencies and organisations including WIT, Enterprise Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, Visit Waterford and internal consultations with Waterford Council’s Tourism, Rural Development, Marketing and Culture teams. The plan is fluid and responsive and will need to adapt as Waterford recovers and re emerges from COVID-19.

ENDS

For Press Queries please contact

Claire Hartley – 087 2905194 chartley@waterfordcouncil.ie

By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford businesses encouraged to apply for Local Authority Restart Grant in Phase 2 of Roadmap to Recovery

As the country moves into Phase 2 of the Government’s Roadmap to Recovery, small businesses that have managed to operate through the pandemic, recently reopened or are due to reopen are being encouraged to apply for the Local Authority Restart Grant through Waterford City and County Council.

The Restart Grant gives direct grant aid to micro and small businesses to help them with the costs associated with reopening and reemploying workers following COVID-19 closures and is available to businesses with a turnover of less than €5m and employing 50 people or less, which were closed or impacted by at least a 25% reduction in turnover up to June 30th, 2020.

Businesses due to reopen under Phase 2 (June 8th) include small retail outlets and marts.

Michael Walsh, Chief Executive of Waterford City and County Council said the grant, is based on the equivalent to the rates bill of the business in 2019 and if a company is currently in a rateable premise but was not rate-assessed in 2019 it is still eligible to apply.

“Now that we are moving into Phase 2, more and more small businesses will be in a position to reopen.  Some will have continued to operate but will have experienced a loss in revenue and staff numbers while bearing ongoing costs.  For others, the cost of reopening will be a challenge.  The Restart Grant, which is a minimum of €2,000 and maximum of €10,000, can be used to help defray ongoing fixed costs or meet the cost of reopening, such as replenishing stock or implementing the necessary health and safety protocols to ensure customer and employee safety.”

“Small retail businesses due to open in Phase 2 should apply for the grant via Waterford City and County Council and they will be prioritised.  As we gradually move into the next phases and more sectors open up, these businesses should apply.  Over the coming weeks and months in Phases 3, 4 and 5 more retail outlets, offices, restaurants, hotels, cafes, pubs, childcare facilities and indoor recreational centres are scheduled to reopen.  These businesses too should begin the process of applying for the Restart grant in order to avoid delay.”

Applications for the Restart Grant can be made via www.waterfordcouncil.ie and the closing date for receipt of applications is August 31st, 2020.

Processing of applications and payment of the Restart Grant will depend on the initial surge of applications but, as far as is feasible, will be prioritised according to scheduled re-opening dates in the national Roadmap.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:

About the Restart Grant

Micro and small businesses are particularly vulnerable to the economic effects of Covid-19.  Many businesses, even while closed, continue to incur costs including fixed costs without being able to generate revenues.  It is recognised that businesses will also incur costs in preparing their businesses to reopen and meeting the needs of employees and customers.  The Restart Grant is designed to alleviate the pressure on businesses in this context.

To avail of the Restart Grant, a business must be in the Local Authorities Commercial Rates Payment System and:

  • have an annual turnover of less than €5m and employ between 1 to 50 people
  • have closed and/or suffered a projected 25%+ loss in turnover to end June 2020
    commit to remain open or to reopen if it was closed
  • declare the intention to retaining employees that are on The Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS)

Business Categories, based on the Government’s Roadmap for a phased re-opening of the economy, are as set out below:

Phase 1 (18 May)
Hardware, garden centres, opticians, motor/cycle repairs, office products, electrical, IT equipment, phone sales/repairs, outdoor construction, public amenities.
Phase 2 (8 June)
Small retail outlets, marts.
Phase 3 (29 June)
Creches for essential workers, retail outlets with street entrance, cafes, and restaurants for on-premises consumption.
Phase 4 (20 July)
Creches, ‘high-risk’ services including hairdressers, tourism accommodation.
Phase 5 (10 August)
Bars, theatres, cinemas, gyms, shopping centres.
For further information:

Karen Cheevers

B2B Communications

086 2300700

By Waterford City & County Council

Minister Humphreys announces details of €250m Restart Grant

Minister Humphreys has announced today, Friday 22nd May 2020, that Local Authorities are now taking applications for €250m Restart Grant.

  • Minimum grant of €2,000 and maximum grant of €10,000.
  • Businesses reopening under Phase 1 and Phase 2, and those who have stayed open since the crisis hit, encouraged to apply now.
  • Online Application Forms are available on local authority websites for Micro Enterprises and Small Businesses – see here for Waterford’s form.

The Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD, today (Friday, 22nd May 2020) announced that the application form for the new €250m Restart Grant providing direct grant aid to micro and small businesses is now available online on all local authority websites.

The Restart Grant is aimed at helping micro and small businesses with the costs associated with reopening and reemploying workers following COVID-19 closures.

Eligible businesses who have stayed open throughout the crisis, as well as those who are reopening under Phase 1 (from 18 May) and Phase 2 (8 June) of the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, are encouraged to apply now for the Restart Grant. These applications will be prioritised for payment by the local authorities.

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD said, “I want to ensure that eligible companies with the most immediate need to get back up-and-running receive the grant support as quickly as possible.  For this reason, the businesses listed in Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Roadmap, as well as those who stayed open all along, will be prioritised. Businesses know the dates on which their premises can reopen, and we want to avoid long waiting times for the grant. As a result, I am urging businesses to wait until a few weeks before their business is due to reopen before submitting their application to the local authorities.

The Minister added: “Staff in the local authorities will endeavour to process applications quickly, but a quick turnaround will be difficult to achieve if every business applies immediately.”

To avail of the Restart Grant, applicants must be a commercial business and be in the Local Authorities Commercial Rates Payment System and:

  • have an annual turnover of less than €5m and employ between 1 to 50 people;
  • have suffered a projected 25%+ loss in turnover to end June 2020;
  • commit to remain open or to reopen if it was closed;
  • declare the intention to retain employees that are on The Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme.

The grant will be equivalent to the rates bill of the business in 2019, or a minimum payment of €2,000, whichever is the higher, and will be subject to a maximum payment of €10,000.

If a company is currently in a rateable premise but was not rate-assessed in 2019 it is still eligible to apply. The local authority can pay the grant based on an estimate of what the rates demand for 2019 would have been.

Applications for the Restart Grant can be made online directly to local authorities and further information is available on the application form.  If there are queries that are not addressed on the application form, businesses can contact the Business Support Unit in each local authority.

This direct grant support is part of the wider €12bn package of supports for firms of all sizes, which includes The Wage Subsidy Scheme, grants, low-cost loans, write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities, all of which will help to improve cash-flow amongst our SMEs.

All information including the application form will be available on your local authority website, the details of which are at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/942f74-local-authorities/

ENDS

 

Notes for Editors

Business Categories, based on the Government’s Roadmap for a phased re-opening of the economy, are as set out below:

Phase 1 (18 May)
Hardware, garden centres, opticians, motor/cycle repairs, office products, electrical, IT equipment, phone sales/repairs, outdoor construction, public amenities.
Phase 2 (8 June)
Small retail outlets, marts.
Phase 3 (29 June)
Creches for essential workers, retail outlets with street entrance, cafes, and restaurants for on-premises consumption.
Phase 4 (20 July)
Creches, ‘high-risk’ services including hairdressers, tourism accommodation.
Phase 5 (10 August)
Bars, theatres, cinemas, gyms, shopping centres.

Business Support Call Centre

The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation has established a Business Support Call Centre for information on the business supports available to businesses and enterprises affected by COVID-19. It can be reached at infobusinesssupport@dbei.gov.ie or (01) 631 2002.

The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI)

The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI) plays a key role in implementing the Government’s policies of stimulating the productive capacity of the economy and creating an environment which supports job creation and maintenance. The Department has lead responsibility for Irish policy on global trade and inward investment and a remit to promote fair competition in the marketplace, protect consumers and safeguard workers.

For further information, members of the media can contact Press Office, D/Business, Enterprise and Innovation, press.office@dbei.gov.ie or (01) 631-2200

If you no longer wish to receive emails from the Department of Business Enterprise and Innovation Press Office, please notify us by email to press.office@dbei.gov.ie

By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford launches Shop Waterford Support Local campaign

As retailers and business owners across Waterford City and County begin to prepare for the reopening of the City and Town Centres a new Shop Waterford Support Local campaign is being launched.

The campaign, supported by business owners from Waterford City, Tramore and Dungarvan aims to encourage all Waterford people to support local in every purchase we make. The campaign wants the people of Waterford to support each other as when we act Together Waterford is Stronger.

The business owners and retailers of Waterford have shown resilience and innovation throughout the COVID19 restrictions and although City and Town centres were largely deserted many businesses continued behind closed doors. Initiatives such as Waterford Online and the Back Soon #Love Waterford responses encouraged local support and provided hope for a gradual return for business and society.

The Waterford Online campaign is continuing to update trading arrangements on a daily basis on its Facebook page and reminds us that Local Businesses employ local people and sponsor local teams and generously give raffle prizes to local fundraisers.

The Shop Waterford Support Local campaign is aimed at building on the momentum of the massive amount of support shown by Waterford people and to encourage a continuation of this support. Some outdoor businesses reopen this week and many of the City and Town Centres businesses open in Phase 2 which is planned for 8th June.

A Shop Waterford Support Local video campaign has been developed by Waterford.fyi in partnership with the City and Town Centre Management groups and is launching this week to coincide with Phase 1 reopening. The camapign features 17 business owners from Waterford City, Tramore and Dungarvan.

The City and Town Centre Management Group membership includes Waterford City and County Council, Waterford Chamber of Commerce, Dungarvan and West Waterford Chamber of Commerce, Waterford Business Group and the Local Enterprise Office.

Darragh, Haven Pharmacy, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford. “This pharmacy dates back to 1915. My father tells me stories of how the Spanish flu affected people here in Dungarvan, so we have a long insight and history here in Dungarvan. What pharmacies did back then, and what we do now was to give accessible healthcare to their communities and to be there for people when they needed them. What we are doing now is no different.”

Jack Molloy, Molloy’s Butchers, Waterford. “People are coming back to the butcher shops and they’re enjoying cooking again. It’s great talking to our customers and finding out what life is like for them. Life’s tough out there, but the one thing that we are finding is that family and people have gotten to come together again and are enjoying it. It’s gone to ‘comfort cooking’ now rather than comfort eating. It’s an interesting concept.”

Seamus Reynolds, Morris’s DIY, Waterford. “I would be a major, major fan of shopping local. I think it’s really critical, and particularly in this time, that we support local businesses, it’s so important. Instead of ordering online and it takes two or three weeks to come, what we try and do with my kids, is go into the retailer because chances are, they might be able to order it and get it in for you.”

A new website called “Waterford Business Supports Hub” has also been developed by the Waterford City and Town Centre Management Groups. The website is a one stop shop for all information relating to all supports for business across Waterford. There is information on financial supports, keeping customers and staff safe, minding our health and well-being and sharing good news stories about Waterford’s ongoing determination and drive to reopening business and society over the coming weeks and months.

ENDS

By Waterford City & County Council

Survey: Waterford is looking to the future – Will you help?

Waterford is looking to the future – Will you help?

Waterford City and County Council is leading an initiative to plan and be ready for recovery from the impact of Covid-19 on Waterford society and business and the reopening of our Villages, Town and City Centres for tourism, retail, cultural and leisure activities.

One of the actions we are taking is to develop a brand that will be used to drive investment and business to Waterford and we need feedback for this investment brand.

Please have your say and take part in a short survey to shape how Waterford is promoted and presented nationally and internationally. Waterford City and County – a place for all Waterford people to be proud of and promote.

Please complete and upload our online survey by midnight Sunday 10th May 2020.

Link here: https://bit.ly/WaterfordBrandSurvey

By Waterford City & County Council

eWaterford.com – an online shop for everyone

Attention business owners !

HelloWorld.ie has built a dedicated online shop for Waterford! Retailers can upload their products and consumers can purchase in one location ensuring local business is supported.

Created by Bryan Hurley, a Waterford native and owner of Helloworld.ie,
eWaterford.com is supported by Waterford Chamber.

Any Waterford business is now free to sign-up and add their products and services to eWaterford.com. When your customers order your products and services on eWaterford.com, their order details and requested items are sent to your business for processing. Customers indicate in their order whether they would like a local collection or a quote for delivery.

Each business on eWaterford gets a dedicated business page complete with images, contact information, biography, administration panel, and order reports. Customers can also contact businesses directly through the site to enquire about your products or services.

Your products, services, and company profile are shown on a searchable map of Waterford.  This allows people to find the businesses that support the area where they live, work, and play.

To start selling right now, just register at ewaterford.com

By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford Business Supports Hub is Launched

Council and Partners launch Waterford Business Supports Hub

As part of the ongoing collaboration between Waterford City and County  Council, Waterford Chamber, Dungarvan and West Waterford Chamber, Waterford Business Group, Waterford Local Enterprise Office and Enterprise Ireland, a new web resource has been launched so as to bring all the current and emerging supports for Waterford businesses onto a single digital platform during this Covid-19 crisis.

The whole idea behind the Waterford Business Supports Hub is that Waterford businesses, seeking guidance, will need to access just one primary local resource. This resource, in turn, will have summaries of the main national supports as well as appropriate links and signposting when required.

The very clear message associated with this collaboration is articulated by the Council’s Director of Services for Economic Development, Michael Quinn when he says: “It is only through a real commitment to working together that we can ensure that Waterford’s business interests are best served during this crisis and, more particularly, in its aftermath.”

Chamber CEOs, Gerald Hurley (Waterford) and Jenny Beresford (Dungarvan & West Waterford) agreed stating that they would be urging their members to not alone exploit the new resource but to influence its further development. In a joint statement, they said: “ The Chambers value this partnership and project, having a local online Business Hub eliminates unnecessary time wasting and encourages a stronger  connection with other stakeholders. Collaboration is paramount at this time to ensure a cross county recovery.”

Likewise Richie Walsh, Head of Enterprise with LEO Waterford: “This platform has been devised so as to ensure that Waterford businesses have the very best of access to clear, concise information and guidance.  Please use it.” Says Michael Garland, head of the Waterford Business Group: “Information is key to our joint recovery and having one website where all the information is available for business will put us ahead of the game”.

So, there is indeed an overriding message emerging which will drive Waterford’s business recovery in the months ahead and it is this – “Together Waterford Is Stronger”.  In the meantime, if you’re in business in Waterford, please check out the new Waterford Business Support Hub at  http://waterfordcouncil.ie/businesssupportshub

By Waterford City & County Council

Business Continuity Voucher with LEO Waterford

Minister Humphreys introduces new measure as part of COVID-19 Business Supports Package

The new Business Continuity Voucher is now available through Local Enterprise Offices and is open to sole traders and companies across every business sector that employ up to 50 people, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys T.D. has announced (March 25).

The voucher is worth up to €2,500 in third party consultancy costs and can be used by companies and sole traders to develop short-term and long-term strategies to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic. The goal is to help business owners make informed decisions about what immediate measures and remedial actions should be taken, to protect staff and sales.

Making the announcement, Minister Humphreys T.D. said: “I know this is still a very worrying time for all businesses. And as part of the package of supports that I announced earlier in the month, I am making a €2,500 voucher available through the Local Enterprise Offices from today to enable enterprises to avail of vital business continuity advice, to assist them with developing short-term and long-term strategies to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak. “

She added, “The voucher will give companies access to contingency planning advice that will help them continue trading through this crisis and to be ready for the recovery phase, when it comes. This voucher will also assist enterprises to prepare a business case for application to emergency financial interventions that are available through the Banks, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland or through Microfinance Ireland”.

Richie Walsh, Head of Enterprise at Local Enterprise Office Waterford, welcomed the new support package. “This is a critical time for small businesses. While businesses are, understandably, caught up in the here and now, this scheme will support companies to make sound, informed decisions on the immediate measures needed to continue to trade in this challenging environment and develop a strategy to assure future business viability.”

“Amongst other things, the Business Continuity Voucher will also include measures such as preparing a business case for application to emergency funding, reducing costs, implementing remote working procedures and exploring supply chain financing options. I would urge small business in Waterford, regardless of their industry or sector, to apply for this voucher. Local Enterprise Office Waterford will work with all businesses to provide practical and pragmatic contingency planning advice.”

The scheme is open to all types of businesses that employ up to 50 people. To apply, companies or sole traders fill out a short application form and submit it directly to Local Enterprise Office Waterford. When a company is issued with a voucher for third party consultancy, they begin working directly with a qualified expert, selected from existing Local Enterprise Office and Enterprise Ireland panels.

To apply for the Business Continuity Voucher, companies submit a short application form to their Local Enterprise Office. Forms are available to download from www.LocalEnterprise.ie/Response

Details of other business supports available from the Department of Enterprise, Business and Innovation can be found at https://dbei.gov.ie/en/

ENDS

For further information:

Karen Cheevers
B2B Communications, 086 2300700

About the Business Continuity Voucher (through Local Enterprise Offices)

Sole traders and businesses*, employing up to 50 staff, are eligible to apply for a Business Continuity Voucher to the value of €2,500 towards third party consultancy costs to assist with developing short-term and long-term strategies to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of the voucher is to provide contingency planning advice to assist enterprises to continue trading through the crisis.

The primary aim of the scheme will be to support companies make informed decisions on the immediate measures needed to continue trading in the current environment while securing the safety of all employees and future business viability through identification of remedial actions.

The Business Continuity Voucher is available to support businesses:

i. Develop a business continuity plan

ii. Assess current financial needs in the short term to medium term

iii. Reduce variable costs, overheads and expenses,

iv. Review and explore supply chain financing options

v. Implement remote working processes or procedures

vi. Leverage HR expertise

vii. Leverage ICT expertise

viii. Prepare a business case for application to emergency financial interventions available through Banks, SBCI (Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland) and Microfinance Ireland.

Application forms are available from www.LocalEnterprise.ie/Response and completed forms are submitted to the relevant Local Enterprise Office by e-mail.

Please note: The Business Continuity Voucher is available to all businesses employing up to 50 across all sectors. The applicant must be an Irish-owned enterprise with up to 50 employees. An application must be submitted in the name of a company registered with the Companies Registration Office and incorporated in the Republic of Ireland at the time of application. Applications will also be accepted from Sole Traders and Partnerships.

By Waterford City & County Council

Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber Shortlisted Chamber Awards 2020

Ahead of the official awards ceremony on 3rd April, Chambers Ireland announces the official shortlist for the 2020 Chamber Awards.

The Awards seek to recognise the outstanding work of Chambers around the country while providing a platform for Chambers to share and promote how active and engaged they are across several different areas.

The shortlist features projects from 17 Chambers, exemplifying the wide-ranging work being done around the country.

The Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber is shortlisted in the Local Authority Collaboration category for the project named ‘Dungarvan Home Of The Greenway – Tourism Partnership In An Evolving Market’. This collaboration between the D&WW Chamber and Waterford Council, also involves CMT Community Employment Scheme & Garvey’s Supervalu, who are collectively responsible for the development of the Dungarvan Tourist Office and it’s initiatives in recent years.

Other contenders in the Local Authority Collaboration category include

  • Cork Chamber – Ireland’s Greenest Bus Fleet
  • County Carlow Chamber – Chamber Trade Connections Export to Netherlands Programme
  • County Kildare Chamber – Kildare to Boston Trade Mission 2019
  • Drogheda & District Chamber – Drogheda Motor Show
  • Letterkenny Chamber – The Retail Promotion Initiative
  • Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber – Dungarvan Home Of The Greenway – Tourism Partnership In An Evolving Market

Congratulating the Chambers shortlisted, Colm Blake, Head of Insurance Marketing at Zurich Ireland, the main sponsor of the awards, commented, “These Awards are an opportunity to reward the excellence of the Chamber network and their members; particularly for the work they do to promote the long-term development of businesses in their communities so that they are better places in which to live, work and do business. We are thrilled to reinforce our commitment to helping the Chambers celebrate these achievements in Ireland.”

Remarking on being included in the shortlist, Chamber President David Walsh said he was “delighted that Dungarvan Chamber & partners have been recognised for their proactive collaboration which has enabled the progression of tourism locally. It is a testament to each of the parties involved that this enterprising and effective partnership has made so much progress in the last five years. We appreciate that this initiative requires cross agency support and consider this to be integral to the growth of tourism in the area.”

The Chamber Awards winners will be announced at the official awards ceremony on 3rd April at the Killashee Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare. Awards will be presented for excellence in six different categories and one Chamber will be awarded the overall award of Chamber of the Year 2020.

By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford receives €350,000 from 2019 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme

Waterford receives almost €350,000 in funding under the 2019 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme

The Department of Rural and Community Development has recently (21st February) published details of projects to be funded under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme in collaboration with Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority.  The Scheme provides funding for the development and maintenance of outdoor amenities such as trails, walkways, cycleways and blueways.

A total of over €10 million has been allocated nationally to 153 projects, on foot of applications made in 2019 under of the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.  The investment was approved by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring TD. The investment is a collaborative initiative between the Department of Rural and Community Development and Fáilte Ireland, with the Department providing €4.4 million of the total, complemented by €4 million from Fáilte Ireland.

Waterford City and County Council was awarded just under €350,000 in funding under this scheme having submitted applications for consideration in mid 2019. Of the applications that were submitted eight projects have been deemed successful and have been awarded funding of between €14,000 and €100,000 each.

The projects that have been awarded funding under Measure 2 (€20,000 to €200,000) include:

  • Saint Declan’s Way: Continued development and completion of this long distance pilgrim trail here in Waterford to include interpretative signage, trail brochure and minor works, in advance of its official opening in 2020.
  • Abbeyside Coastal Walk: Upgrade and development of a coastal spur off the Waterford Greenway at Abbeyside, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford.
  • Dungarvan Campervan Parking area and Enhancement of Waterford Greenway Play Trail: Waterford Greenway and other developments have led to an increase in demand for formal facilities to cater for Camper vans visiting Co. Waterford. In 2019 such a facility was approved at Part VIII Planning stage and this funding will allow its development in 2020 at Rignasillogue, Dungarvan.

Waterford Greenway itself will also see the improvement and addition of a number of play areas to add to its existing play trail.

Anne Valley Walk Upgrade Works: A number of trail improvement works are planned for the enhancement of the Anne Valley Walk which is currently one of the most popular recreational trails in Waterford.

The projects that have been awarded funding under Measure 1 (less than €20,000) include:

The continued development of the EuroVelo 1 on road cycling trails from Youghal Bridge to Passage East (including Waterford Greenway). EuroVelo is a network of 16 long distance cycle routes connecting and uniting the whole European continent. The routes can be used by cycle tourists as well as by local people making daily journeys. There are two EuroVelo route in Ireland and Waterford is located on EuroVelo 1 ‘The Atlantic Coast Route’.

The upgrade and improvement of the Waterford Cycling Trails, a network of five scenic on road cycling trails in County Waterford.

Improved promotion of all Waterford Recreational Trails including new brochure design, mapping, photography, videography and on line trail content, which will help promote the wonderful outdoor recreational opportunities that we have here in Waterford.

Upgrade and improvement works at Lady Louisa’s Walk, Lismore.

Welcoming this current round of funding Mayor of Waterford City and County Council, Cllr. John Pratt said that “not only will this funding benefit the recreational trails that are the subject of the current development, but more importantly it will be of a wider benefit to the local communities, economies and many visitors that will no doubt enjoy these amenities for many years to come”.

In 2018, 2.6 million overseas tourists to Ireland engaged in hiking or cross-country walking, spending an estimated €1.4 billion during their stay here.  A further 504,000 tourists took part in cycling activities. The projects announced under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme will contribute further to Ireland’s tourism offering, and will encourage visitors to extend their holidays in rural areas and explore the many attractions the regions have to offer.

By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford City & County Corporate Plan 2019-2024 now available

Waterford, as the Capital of the South East will be a vibrant and sustainable place for all its people who live, work, visit or invest here.

OUR VISION

  • That Waterford is ambitious, progressive, and connected. A place
    where all our people enjoy life, well-being and opportunity at its
    heart.
  • That Waterford people have access to a responsive, professional and
    people focused local authority which is connected at a strategic level
    to the wider public service.
  • That Waterford and the South East are positioned to lead in terms of
    business development, economic growth and educational excellence.
  • That Waterford offers a unique quality of life for all with outstanding
    world class amenities and a natural unspoiled landscape and scenery and become a recognised tourism destination which honours its cultural and
    historic heritage as Ireland’s Oldest City.

By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford 2040 Breakfast Briefing

Almost 50 leaders from Waterford’s industrial and commercial, government, educational and economic development agencies gathered for a Breakfast Briefing on Wednesday 26th February 2020 to initiate a marketing and promotional campaign for Waterford. The initiative is as a result of collaboration between Waterford Chamber, Waterford Institute of Technology and Waterford City & County Council.

Over the past six months, the agencies have created an economic baseline for the city and opportunity analysis out to 2040. This research will inform Waterford’s implementation plan to realise it’s critical role as a population centre and economic driver of growing importance and scale, as outlined in the National Planning Framework ‘Project Ireland 2040’ and the National Development Plan 2018-2022.

Waterford Chamber CEO, Gerald Hurley said “For me today is about getting the message right and having an ambitious outlook for our city. Up until now, there has been conflicting economic baseline data for Waterford. This is the first time we have come together at a local level to obtain detailed and credible research and data that everyone can use to showcase Waterford as a City of Opportunity. The results of that research, combined with months of data gathering by RIKON and the information we collate here today, will give us an economic baseline for the city and present the ambitious growth opportunities that exist in Waterford.  This can then be used by all of us as a tool to attract future investment and educate key influencers.”

Michael Walsh, Chief Executive of Waterford City and County Council in opening the meeting said “The National Planning Framework and Development Plan policy document re-assert our critical role and we need to identify as a city and region of opportunity where our quality of life is unique. This morning’s meeting focussed on the identification of the vision for Waterford and a number of key collaborations which will set Waterford as a place apart”.

Prof. Willie Donnelly, President of Waterford Institute of Technology concluded the meeting by saying “Waterford Institute of Technology offers an attractive opportunity as an educational leader of international repute and is proud to partner with Waterford Council and Waterford Chamber of Commerce to drive Waterford as the primary urban centre within the south-east region”.

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