Boyle Chamber News 2010
BUILD A BETTER BOYLE
River Cleanup – There was a great turnout on the both evenings we did the cleanup. Well done to the 50-60 people from clubs, businesses, and individuals who gave of their time freely. (As far as we know Michael O’Dowd was the only who got paid as he found the €2). Special thanks for the support of the County Council for providing a Tractor and Trailer. Three loads were removed and disposed of by the council.
Meeting with Banks – We have met with BOI to discuss their support for the SME businesses in the area. They have a requirement, set out by Minister Brian Lenihan, on 30th March 2010, to make €3bn available to SME business in the coming year. This plan is currently being finalised with the Minister and when complete will hopefully have an impact.
Currently there are a number of funds available that are synopsised below.
European Investment Bank Fund (originally €100m with c €40m remaining). This is set-up between BOI and the EIB for SME Business for loans of €25000 and upwards.
Business Support Fund (a €250m Fund). For BOI small business customers to provide flexible finance for viable businesses, allowing them to trade through the current climate.
There are also two other funds €100m Green Business Fund and €100m Renewable Energy Fund, which aim at encouraging the growth of renewable energy projects in Ireland.
Developing Business Loan (€250m Fund) Average loan to date has been €23k and the fund is to support developments within the business.
We are working on getting a representative from the bank to meet with the group to discuss the application process and support businesses in preparing loan applications. In addition we hope to have a successful applicant meet with the group to discuss their experience.
We have also made contact with other banks and will outline anything of interest as it comes along.
Retail Workshop - Derek Caldbeck hosted a 2 part workshop with emphasis on the retail sector, Day 1 of the workshop offered us the opportunity to look at strengths weaknesses, opportunities and threats of businesses & Boyle, part 2 was a report on the findings and an attempt to set priorities which resulted namely in Marketing & Promotion of the town. Many thanks to Derek who gave of his time & expertise to these sessions. There has been a number of follow ups from these workshops including the Brochure & RIDC Application (see below)
Boyle Promotional Brochure
As a result of one of our retail meetings the idea for a Boyle Promotional Brochure was born. Laura Sarah Jane, Sara and Sean offered their time & expertise to distribute a Questionnaire to Businesses and offer them the opportunity to advertise in the Boyle Brochure. The final date was to advertise is Friday 9th July, but to date the response has far exceeded the expectations of the team. A draft publication will be available for viewing next week and we’ll update you with date as to when/where it can be viewed to ensure your entry is correct. Many thanks to the team who have invested such huge time and effort on this task.
Special Congratulations must be extended to Sarah Jane for her efforts in getting Boyle awarded 2nd in the I102/104 Window Displays. She certainly got the momentum going in the town of working together to achieve, and we look forward to the benefits of the forthcoming advertising campaign secured for the Town.
Roscommon Integrated Application
An application for funding to RIDC is being prepared by Orla Casey to access funds for Marketing, Promotion, Town Improvements etc. We’ll keep you updated on this proposal.
Boyle Business Painting
The town is looking remarkably well with the array of newly painted buildings throughout the streets. Well done to all who decorated their premise
We know there is more behind the scenes work going on , well done to all involved.
Niche Business
We are currently investigating a few niche business sectors with the idea of becoming a hub for particular industry or type of business (eg. Sustainable Energy companies, Specialised Food Producers, Innovative Solutions Companies). This is at the very initial stages so any ideas on types of businesses that may be suitable can be forwarded to the team.
Other Projects being Investigated:
King House Banquet - help promote local food producers.
Boyle Diaspora Website – target Boyle Diaspora for ideas and businesses opportunities
Walking Festival – Resurrect Boyle as a ideal location for Walking Festival Package weekends.
One to One Business Mentoring: We hope to progress this in early Autumn
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As a result of a recent initiated by Boyle Chamber of Commerce, we are holding a social gathering in Daly’s Lounge on Friday next 23rd April. We had an excellent response to the survey and below have summarised the general findings of the questionnaire in the relation to the chamber and the ways we can improve to help businesses in the area.
A large variety of ideas from participants have been suggested some of which are as follows:
Most respondents felt the chamber could do more to promote the town and the general businesses in the area. In general it was felt there is a need for the chamber to:
• Improve communications with businesses in the town
• Act as an umbrella group for other business organisations / groups in the town
• Assist with promotion of the town as tourism / heritage destination
• Be more transparent in the work it carries out
• Lobby Local authorities regarding rates, water charges etc.
• Create incentives to attract new businesses in the town
• Support a clean-up of the town and rejuvenate derelict buildings
• Create a Business Networking environment for businesses to share ideas
All respondents easily identified Boyle’s best features (ie. Heritage, Tourism, Natural Beauty, Retail, Friendliness of people, Schools & Clubs) and are keen to promote these attributes further.
There has been a wealth of ideas offered in the responses received, and we feel it would be very worthwhile to explore them in greater detail. The majority of respondents felt a social gathering amongst the businesses of the town would be of benefit, and on this note we would like to invite you to join us in Daly’s Lounge on Friday 23rd @ 6:30pm to take our first steps in working together to a “Better Boyle”. Anyone who is or was involved with Business in Boyle or interested in the development of Boyle is very welcome.
A review of the evening will be posted on this web site next week
CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE BUSINESS IN BOYLE
A new adhesive sticker to promote and foster business in Boyle was launched on Wednesday last at Scoil na nAingeal Naofa. The idea for the promotion was the brainchild of the local Chamber of Commerce industrial sub committee... Read more..
BOYLE ENTERPRISE CENTRE
Boyle Chamber of Commerce has applied for Planning Permission to Roscommon County Council for permission to construct an Enterprise Centre to be located at Cashelfinoge, Roscommon Road, Boyle, Co. Roscommon. Read more..
PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2009
The following is an extract from the President’s Report 2008/2009.
The year 2008/2009 has again been a busy year for the Chamber. The Chamber continued to make progress in a number of key areas on its members’ behalf and that of the town. Read more..
COUNTY COUNCIL WIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AWARD
Congratulations to Roscommon County Council and its staff on their recent achievement in winning first prize in the category of Economic Development at the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland “Excellence in local Governments Awards 2009”. Read more..
LIGHTENING NEVER STRIKES TWICE
Congratulations to Bernie Murphy and Mick O’Boyle, on their recent win of the Chamber Lotto draw. It is not very often that those who administer the draw have the pleasure of coming across a Jackpot winning ticket so one can imagine the excitement when not only one but two winning tickets were found amongst the entries. Read more..
Chambers Ireland Welcomes Additional Bank Support for SMEs
Published: Thursday December 4, 2008
Speaking this afternoon (04/12/08), Seán Murphy, Director of Policy, Chambers Ireland said, “Four issues are affecting business at present: Diminished confidence in both domestic and business consumers; The end of an unsustainable building boom affecting wide swathes of the Irish economy; Tightening terms and conditions from suppliers arising from weakened confidence and international credit crisis; and Negative buoyancy and rising costs from budget tax changes and potential local authority charge increases.” Read more..
VAT Rate Now 43pc Higher South of the Border
Published: Monday December 1, 2008
Chambers Ireland has today (01/12/08) called for Governments on both sides of the border to move rapidly towards common fiscal regimes with a view to reducing the wide fluctuations in trade and services patterns across the border depending on currency and VAT variations. Read more..
65% of HR Managers Say Downturn is the Biggest Challenge for Their Business
Published: Friday November 28, 2008
Chambers Ireland’s Labour Force Survey published today (28/11/08) reported that the present downturn in the economy is the biggest challenge facing business. This confirms that the recession is biting. Ian Talbot, Chief Executive, Chambers Ireland said, “Business is clearly feeling great pain at present. The private sector is meeting these challenges head on. The fact remains that while the private sector is dealing with job cuts, pay freezes and cost control, the current National Pay agreement is ratcheting cost into the government’s budget.” Read more..
Dublin City Council Named Local Authority of the Year 2008
Published: Friday November 7, 2008
Dublin City Council has been named Local Authority of the Year 2008 at Chambers Ireland’s 5th annual Excellence in Local Government Award at a ceremony last night (06/11/08) attended by over 520 local authorities officials and chamber representatives. The awards were held in association with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Read more..
