by Gráinne Connolly
A new flagship business support and growth programme entitled 'Business Boost' is being delivered by Derry City and Strabane District Council to assist enterprises in the Council area that employ fewer than 50 people and have an annual turnover of less than €10m.
It's funded by the Invest NI and the European Regional Development Fund through the Investment for Growth and Jobs Programme (2014-2020).
Business Boost is an innovative project aimed at assisting Council to provide support for the creation of new sustainable jobs in the area and work to strengthen the local business base by helping companies become more competitive in indigenous and export markets.
Louise Breslin, Business Development Manager with the Council is encouraging local companies in the area who are interested in growing to sign up:
"By signing up businesses can avail of a bespoke advice and support service with up to five days of free mentoring support by industry professionals.
"As part of Business Boost, a series of workshops and networking events will be held during the programme duration aimed at providing a range of professional support services that is tailored to suit individual business requirements.
"We are working with our partners to help get the message out to the business community to sign up and take advantage of this fantastic growth opportunity that is available."
Simon Devlin from Full Circle, a leading business advisory services company has been appointed to deliver mentoring, workshops and specific programmes to support Business Boost.
He says it's a fantastic way for businesses to not only avail of the advice and support, but for networking and to meet other local companies.
Among the key delivery actions of Business Boost is to create 400 jobs, recruit up to 600 businesses to participate and deliver over 1300 days of mentoring and 20 workshops.
The first meeting of the panel is in the coming weeks when more information will be available.
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