During 2017, LEADER grant aid of almost €1.6m was allocated to innovative enterprise and community projects throughout County Wexford. During 2018, a further €1.5m is available for niche start-up and expanding businesses across a range of sectors to include tourism, food, creative industries and general enterprise. Grant aid of up to 50% of eligible costs is now available to both micro and small businesses – those with between one and fifty employees and annual turnover or balance sheet less than €10m.
The LEADER Programme is 63% funded by the EU & 37% by the Irish Exchequer and focuses on “promoting social inclusion, poverty reduction and economic development in rural areas”.
Wexford Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) in partnership with Wexford Local Development (WLD) has responsibility for the delivery of the funding in the county under the remit of the Department of Rural and Community Development.
The funding is focused on key areas in need of the greatest support and will benefit a wide range of businesses throughout the county, including those in the Wexford town area which was excluded from previous LEADER Programmes.
The LEADER Programme now offers a great opportunity for businesses with up to fifty employees to avail of substantial grant aid to grow their business.
To discuss if your business is eligible for LEADER funding, talk to Enterprise Development staff:
Gorey & Wexford Districts – Tom Bermingham – 053 9155856 – email: tbermingham@wld.ie
Enniscorthy & New Ross Districts – Helena Dempsey – 053 9155866 – email: hdempsey@wld.ie