Enterprise Minister Hails Support To Local Business
Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has praised Omagh District Council for the support it has offered to almost 300 small businesses throughout the district over the past number of years.
The Minister was speaking at an event in the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh on Monday night to recognise the contribution of the business support programmes.
“Small businesses are at the heart of the Northern Ireland economy and vital to the success of our local economy,” she told those present. “I commend Omagh District Council, for the manner in which it is working in partnership to deliver mentoring and workshop based support for
businesses in the area.
“This occasion offers a chance to showcase the valuable initiatives which are stimulating business growth across the region.
“The collaborative approach to local business development, shown here, will not only reap rewards locally within the Omagh area but also contribute positively towards the Northern Ireland economy as a whole,” she added.
The programmes were delivered courtesy of funding from both Invest NI and the European Regional Development Fund under the Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland. Attendees also listened to the experiences and business journeys of some local entrepreneurs,
including Joann McCaul of family owned JMG Systems, which has been providing electronic systems to clients for the past 30 years.
Also speaking was Darren Nugent of Carrickmore’s Pokertree Brewery – the district’s only brewery, which produces a range of handcrafted all natural Irish ales.
Attendees also heard from Professor John McClure, who established his unique digital pathology business in Omagh in 2013, offering an on-line diagnostic service, which can be accessed by health establishments world wide.
Nick O’Shiel (Omagh Enterprise Company) spoke of the partnership with Global Education (NI) Ltd for providing mentoring through one of the programmes, while Orla O’Sullivan of Sixmilecross Enterprises Ltd gave the social economy perspective.
Source: ulsterherald.com
