The Local Enterprise Office is charged with the provision of business support and economic development 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 Local Enterprise Development Plan was approved by the SPC during Quarter one, 2016 and funding has been provided by Enterprise Ireland in order to facilitate the delivery of the Enterprise Support Programme in line with the plan for 2016. Carlow County Council has made provisions in its budget to allow for the delivery of the Economic Development Programme. The Economic Development programme attracted significant investment during 2016 in terms of Town & Village Projects, Rural Economic Development Zones, Food Tourism Funding, Diaspora Strategy Funding & Ireland's Best Young Entrepreneur Programme.

The programme staff compliment in line with the requirements of the Enterprise Ireland funding model are:

• Head of Enterprise
• Senior Enterprise Development Officer
• Business Advisor
• Administrator

Following an open competition, Pauline Hoctor was appointed Business Advisor for the Local Enterprise Office during Qtr. 4, 2016. The LEO Offices will approve a 3 year plan during Qtr. 1 & 2, 2017 in line with the funding requirements of Enterprise Ireland. The LEO staff are supported by the staff of Carlow Tourism in the delivery of Tourism Supports and work on a cross functional basis on a variety of economic development projects.

South East - Regional Action Plan for Jobs
The aim of the National Action Plan for Jobs is to support enterprise growth and job creation in every region of the country. Carlow County Council is actively engaged in the delivery of the South East Action Plan for Jobs.
Recent analysis of the South East confirms that a significant gap exists between the economy of the region and the rest of the country. In particular:

• The south east has a higher level of unemployment (i.e. highest in the country at 12.5% compared to 8.4% nationally).
• 24,000 construction jobs and 10,500 industrial jobs were lost in the region between 2008 and 2012 - these 2 sectors account for the vast majority of the rise in unemployment; and
• The south east has lower levels of wealth (e.g. the Gross Value Added per person in the region is the 3rd lowest of the 8 regions in the country at c71% of the national average and disposable income at c93.5% of the national average is also 3rd lowest).

The most significant indicator of wealth is the quality of employment. While there has been significant employment growth since 2012, in particular a welcome number of high profile FDI announcements in the past 2 years, the bulk of the labour force in the region are employed in relatively lower quality jobs (e.g. only 25% of all manufacturing jobs are in high technology related areas), and there is still an over-reliance on traditional enterprises and low skilled service work and part-time employment (e.g. almost half of all jobs filled in the region in 2015 were part-time positions.)

Two of the main reasons cited for this are:

• low education profile and capacity in the region (i.e. lower third level education attainment; students leaving the region to be educated and not returning; and relative under investment in the existing third level education base); and
• Not enough new FDI providing the kind of jobs that are crucial to economic development and growth. While recent IDA supported announcements (e.g. Nypro Healthcare, West Pharma, Bausch & Lomb, Opko, etc.), will make a significant positive impact on reversing the trend, the scale of the unemployment challenge in the south east is such that a lot more of this kind of investment will be required in the short term if we are to close the gap faster.)

The South East Action Plan for Jobs aims to "Close the Gap" by the delivery of 194 Enterprise Support & Development Actions. In order to achieve this the Local Authorities in the South East in association with a variety of stakeholders have established a structure to allow for delivery of these actions:
Rachel Doyle has been appointed an enterprise ambassador for the Supporting Enterprise & Entrepreneurship Enablers group and admin and project support has been provided by Carlow County Council for same.

To date the following support has been provided by Carlow County Council for delivery of the plan:

• Supporting the recruitment of a Director for South East Action Plan for Jobs
• Supporting the recruitment of a Project Executive for South East Action Plan for Jobs
• Membership by Chief Executive & Head of Enterprise on Implementation Committee
• Membership of the Advisory Group by Head of Enterprise
• Facilitation of Sector Briefings and attendance by County Carlow companies and stakeholders
• Development of a implementation plan for the delivery of Local Authority & Local Enterprise Office Actions
• Provision of Administrative and project support to enterprise ambassador
• Development of Regional Department Report
• Cross Functional Support of Action & Working Groups

As part of the Regional Action Plan for Jobs, Carlow County Council will be submitting 2 applications for funding during Qtr. 1, 2017 in the area of business incubation and development. The Council are currently working with a variety of stakeholders in the development of these proposals.

Local Enterprise Office - Competitive Funding Projects
While the LEO Offices work directly on funded projects a variety of projects are delivered in a co-operative fashion with other entities which benefit the Business Community in County Carlow. During 2016, the following funding was achieved in a co-operative fashion: Supporting Carlow Town
The executive are acutely aware of the challenges facing Town Centre enterprises and are keen to engage in meaningful stakeholder engagement in respect of possible projects which will enhance the sustainability and development of enterprises in Carlow Town Centre. The executive have engaged in the following activities in respect of Carlow Town during the period 1st January 2016 - 31st December 2016:

• Start Up Advice Clinics & Business Advice Sessions in respect of Retail Premises
• Provision of Web Vouchers in respect of Retail Enterprise trading longer than 12 months
• Provision of funding to Carlow Chamber for PR Programme to encourage enterprises to "Talk Up Carlow"
• Promotion of Carlow Town Centre at REI Retail Retreat
• Development of Test Social Media Campaign to Promote Carlow Town for further development during Qtr. 3, 2016
• Development of Image Bank for Marketing of Carlow Town
• Development of Retail & Hospitality Case Studies
• Approval of funding to Carlow Tidy Towns in respect of Window Box & Hanging Basket Scheme
• Approval of funding in respect of Carlow Town Paint Scheme for 9 premises
• Approval of Start Up Grants under Retail Start Plus in the amount of €9,215
• Provision of funding for Festivals & Events for Carlow Town including Pan Celtic 2016
• Funding for Carlow Chamber - Christmas in Carlow Activities
• Funding for Carlow Tourism for Christmas in Carlow National Promotional Brochure.
• Confirmation of funding for Christmas Light Programme 2016

The executive is actively working on a cross functional basis with other Departments within Carlow County Council to ensure a collective response to the needs of Carlow Town enterprises but acknowledge that the challenges will require a multi-stakeholder approach. The executive is actively engaged with Carlow Chamber in respect of the proposed economic development fund for 2017.

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
• Engagement with IDA in respect of Carlow Advanced Technology Building to be delivered under the Action Plan for Jobs
• Development of Sector Specific Marketing Materials
• Engagement with Connect Ireland in respect of their programme of diaspora engagement
• Engagement with Private Landlords and their agents in respect of property solutions

This work is undertaken on a confidential basis with the executive, IDA and interested parties and the executive has actively kept members up to date with any jobs expansions of our current FDI clients and developments.
During 2016, the executive development 2 information tools for marketing firstly "County Carlow - A Home for Business Excellence" and secondly "Form - Carlow's Creative Story". A final one which has a focus on Carlow Town was prepared in line with the design of the FDI materials.
Video Bank: Carlow County Council has completed a FDI Set of Marketing Video's for County Council for roll out in Qtr. 1, 2017.
Information Leaflets: To accompany County Carlow: A Home for Business Excellence a series of fact sheets will be produced to market Carlow Strengths as a location for Investment. These will be completed by end Qtr. 1, 2017.
There was a marked increase in FDI visits during 2016, with 8 visits reported up until end September 2016 by IDA.

Enterprise Support & Development Programme
The following is a summary of the main elements of each of the 4 service elements facilitated by the Local Enterprise Office during 2016:

Training & Development & Networking Mentoring Grants Approved: Grants Paid: One to One Meetings: Student Enterprise Activity Business Information & Advisory Services

• During the period 1st January 2016 - 31st December 2016 the Executive of the Local Enterprise Office provided 353 One to One Office & Site Meetings. These meetings advise start up and current enterprises on a variety of issues including business planning, finance, state supports, marketing, procurement. This service also includes active engagement and signposting to a variety of National Protocol Partners where clients can access other Financial & Non-Financial supports from the State.

Entrepreneurship Support Services

• The Student Enterprise Programme is designed to engage 4th year students in the development of Micro-Enterprise as part of a project based competitive aimed to encourage awareness of enterprise as a career choice. At present 10 out of 11 Schools participate in this programme. Following a County Final held in February 2016, Clodagh Brophy from St. Leo's represented County Carlow at the National Final and won the Overall Social Media Award at National Final Level in the Senior Category.
  
  Opening of Launch in Unum with IBYE Finalists Equi-Ratings 2016
• The LEO facilitated the South East Regional National Women's Enterprise Day Event which was hosted in Qtr. 4, 2017. The event featured Local Entrepreneur Rachel Doyle and was launched by Minister Mitchell O'Connor.
• The Student Concept Competition is designed to develop creativity among students and delivered in association with IT Carlow, Fairgreen Shopping Centre, AIB, and Carlow Youth Services & Visual. During Qtr. 4, 2017 over 600 students entered the competition.
• Enterprise Awards 2016: During 2016, the Local Enterprise Office facilitated the Local Enterprise Awards 2016 which engaged 10 companies in Business Plan Development and evaluation. An awards lunch was hosted and attended by 50 people, Equi-Ratings was named the County Carlow - National Enterprise Awards Entry and went on to win the Regional Award at the National Finals held in May 2016.
  
  Student Enterprise Show in Visual 2016
• Ireland's Best Young Entrepreneur is a National Programme designed to engage young people from 18-35 yrs. to develop their business ideas and enterprises to the next level. This includes an investment fund of €50,000 for each Local Authority Area. During Qtr. 4, 2016, the LEO Offices rolled out this programme which was attended by 18 young entrepreneurs and 6 were selected for investment. 3 of these projects will go forward to the Regional Final of IBYE being held in Qtr. 1 , 2017
• Enterprise Week 2016: The Executive engaged in the delivery of the first Local Enterprise Week which contained 5 events including a KCLR showcase which highlighted the stories of 18 Carlow Companies.
• Development of Clusters: Clustering is seen as an effective methodology of the development of sector specific companies. During the year the Local Enterprise Office engaged in a variety of cluster activities in the area of Craft (Form) and is currently in the process of developing a project in the Engineering space.
• Enterprise Promotion Activities: The Local Enterprise Office engaged in a variety of enterprise promotion activities which included participation by Carlow companies in The Local Enterprise Village.

Enterprise Support Services

• The Local Enterprise Office provided direct financial assistance in the form of Innovation, Priming (Start Up), Business Expansion Grants. (See Summary Outputs)
• Delivery of a Pre-Start Up Programme with Carlow County Development Partnership Ltd. under SICAP for people considering going on the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance.
• The Local Enterprise Office provided a variety of business support & networking activities during 2016. (See Summary Outputs)
• The Local Enterprise Office hosted "The Business Picnic" which was attended by 300 business people from across the South East in association with Unum, Connect Ireland and Arboretum.
• The Local Enterprise Office provided mentoring to start up and developing enterprises (See Summary Outputs)
• The Local Enterprise Office provided access to Micro Finance
• The Local Enterprise Office provided support for the Development of Community Enterprise Centres & Incubation Centres in County Carlow. Carlow County Council is currently engaged in a strategic review of Carlow Community Enterprise Centres t/a Enterprise House with a view to the development of a 3 year strategy.
• The Local Enterprise Office managed the Bee Visible Signage Scheme in Carlow Town.
• The Local Enterprise Office actively engaged with Enterprise Ireland in respect of the development of LEO clients and HPSU projects.
• The Local Enterprise Office actively engaged with IT Carlow in respect of product and service development projects.
• The Local Enterprise Office are actively engaged in the South East Skills Forum
• The Local Enterprise Office is engaged in the delivery of the Local Enterprise Village @ NPA via management of a National Committee. The Village featured 64 companies including 2 Carlow Companies. The Village was launched by Minister Mitchell O'Connor during Qtr. 2, 2016.

Local Enterprise Development Services

• First Stop Shops Services: The executive provided a variety of information, advisory and facilitation services for potential economic projects over the course of the year.
• Local Economic & Community Plan: The executive of the Local Enterprise Office in association with their counterparts in Community Services developed the Local Economic & Community Plan which was launched during 2016.
• Launchpad: The executive facilitated the development of Lauchpad in association with Unum. Launchpad is a free start up space for the development of HPSU technology type companies. The first tenant was the IBYE 2016 NationalFinalistsEqui-Ratings.
  
  Public Consultation for Town & Village Renewal Schemes
• Form Exhibition: The executive facilitated in association with the Library Services the development of an exhibition for Form as part of Carlow Arts Festivals 2016. This exhibition was launched by Minister Mitchell O'Connor during June 2016. Form engaged in 4 co-operative activities and collectively resulted in a 66% gross turnover return for group members.
• South East Action Plan for Jobs: See note on Action Plan for Jobs
• Community Festivals, Events & Tourism Venues Scheme: The executive co-ordinated the above fund which awarded €100k to 13 projects across County Carlow.
• IDA & FDI Marketing: See Foreign Direct Investment
• Community Diaspora Funding: The executive rolled out the Local Authorities/IPB/Failte Ireland Community Tourism Diaspora funding scheme. This scheme was rolled out in partnership with Carlow Tourism and facilitates community groups to host events which attract overseas visitors.
  
  The Business Picnic Networking Event 2016
• Sister City Programme: The executive engaged in the foundation of Economic Links with IT Carlow in respect of the Sister City Programme with Tempe, Arizona. This is a cross functional project with the community section.
• Carlow Tourism: The executive supported the work of Carlow Tourism including the provision of supports for Trade & Consumer Fairs.

Representing Carlow County Council:
The LEO Staff currently represent Carlow County Council on the following project and programme groups:

• Carlow Local Community Development Committee
• Carlow County Development Partnership CLG
• Carlow Tourism CLG
• Carlow Community Enterprise Centres CLG
• Carlow Early Years Training Services CLG
• South East Skills Forum
• South East Action Plans for Jobs - Implementation Group
• South East Action Plan for Jobs - Action Monitoring Group
• Local Enterprise Office - National Network

Communications, Public Relations & Social Media:
The executive as part of various projects engaged in nationally focused Media & PR activities. This included specific features in the Sunday Business Post and the Irish Farmers Journal.
Social Media Communications is delivered as part of the LEO National Communications Plan and is evaluated and measured. The LEO facilitated a variety of PR requests during the year including client launches, TV preparation for clients, interview preparation for clients, national media opportunities for clients, programme launches etc.

Cross Functional Projects:
The following cross functional projects were facilitated by the Local Enterprise Office during 2016:
Rural Economic Development Zones: During 2016, the LEO following a consultation process developed 4 REDZ projects which attracted 200k worth of funding. These include, the redevelopment of the Garden Trail, development of the Big Houses & Festivals programme, development of an exploring the river project which will look at the feasibility and development of a community tourism barge and the development of Digital Towns. These programmes will be rolled out during 2017 and a framework plan for all projects will be in place by end Qtr. 1, 2017.
Diaspora & Twinning Strategy: During 2016, the LEO following an application was awarded funding for the development of a Diaspora & Twinning Strategy. This project involves 3 stages which are, strategy development, communication development and evaluation and product development evaluation. The process will be completed by end Qtr. 1, 2017 and presented to the CPG for approval. The project is being rolled out by the Library, Community, Economic and Museum sections of Carlow County Council, VISUAL & Carlow Tourism.
Towns & Village: During 2016, as part of a cross functional team, the LEO Co-ordinated the Town & Village Renewal Scheme. Funding was awarded to 7 areas in County Carlow and 59 projects were designed for delivery by end Qtr. 1, 2017.
Following completion of the projects an evaluation will be conducted and Town & Village Health Checks presented and consideration of future funding methods in line with feedback from all Departments.
Food Tourism Project: During 2016, the LEO secured funding as part of Rural Development Food Tourism Funding. This funding will be utilized to develop Taste of Carlow 2017 at Easter, Carlow Food Producers Cook Book and supported Carlow's Culinary Christmas 2016. The Food Producers Cook Book & Taste will be rolled out during 2017, in partnership with Carlow Tourism.

Carlow Town Economic Development Fund: During Qtr. 1, 2017 the LEO will coordinate a cross functional team in partnership with Carlow Chamber to develop a Town Centre Economic Development Project for €150,000

European Funding Applications:
During 2016, Carlow County Council developed two applications under direct EU funding in the areas of creative industry, life sciences and food. A decision on same is expected in Qtr. 2, 2017. The projects are in partnership with the University of Wales.

Carlow County Council, Athy Road, Carlow. R93 E7R7 Tel. +353 59 9170300.