Economic Development \ Local Economic Development Organisations/Funders

Local Economic Development Organisations/Funders

Listed below are details on the key Economic Development Agents in the Newry and Mourne District Council area.

Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade

The Chamber is an independent organisation made up of an extensive sector of the local business community. The members of the Chamber elect 14 individuals on an annual basis to form the executive committee. The Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade represents, informs and assists local businesses, carrying out the Chambers' responsibilities in an active, effective and influential way.

For further details please contact:-

Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade
74 Hill Street
Newry
Co Down
BT34 1BE

Telephone (028) 3025 0303 Fax (028) 3025 0333

Email info@newrychamber.com
Website www.newrychamber.com

Newry City Centre Management

Newry City Centre Management was established in 1988. The main aim of the Company was to respond to an increasingly competitive, commercial climate and to create a vibrant City Centre for the benefit of all those who live, work and visit the very heart of the City Centre. The objectives of the company are as follows:

- To improve accessibility into and around the city Centre
- To promote sustainable development and business opportunities within the city Centre
- To encourage and facilitate improvements to the physical environment within the city Centre
- To develop a marketing plan which would promote the city Centre in an ongoing basis
- To encourage partnership between public and private sectors
- To monitor and review the performance of the Company by collecting and analysing an identified range of data available

For further details please contact:-

Newry City Centre Management Partnership
74 Hill Street
Newry
Co Down
BT34 1BE

Telephone (028) 3025 0303 Fax (028) 3025 0333
Email donna@newry.com or info@newry.com
Website www.newry.com

Newry & Mourne Enterprise Agency

The Newry and Mourne Enterprise Agency is one of the two divisions of Newry & Mourne Co-Operative Ltd.

The Co-Operative was founded in late 1972 as an attempt by local people to take positive action to alleviate the chronic unemployment which the Newry area had suffered for generations. The Enterprise Agency, established in 1983, was the first in Northern Ireland and has the main objective of promoting jobs and creating wealth in the Newry & Mourne area.

To help meet that objective the Agency has a comprehensive strategy to:
- develop new business start-ups
- support existing small business
- help to create an "Enterprise Culture" locally
- foster the introduction and development of new technology
- help create a climate locally which will prove attractive to inward investment
- develop cross-border economic activity

In support of these strategies the Agency offers the following services:
- Managed Workspace – Provision of office space and industrial units
- Business Training
- Grants and Advice
- Enterprise Northern Ireland Small Business Loan Fund
- Business Library
- Community Business Grants/Advice
- Business and Consultancy Services
- Events Management
- Office/Secretarial Services

For further details please contact:-

Newry & Mourne Enterprise Agency
Enterprise House
WIN Business Park
Canal Quay
Newry
Co Down
BT35 6PH

Telephone (028) 3026 7011 Fax (028) 3026 1316
Email cpatterson@nmea.net
Website www.nmea.net

East Border Region Committee

The East Border Region Committee is one of three local authority led cross border networks on the Ireland/Northern Ireland border. The East Border Region Committee comprises six local authorities, Newry & Mourne, Down, Banbridge District Councils and Craigavon Borough Council in Northern Ireland and Louth & Monaghan County Councils in the Republic and has a total population of 400,000. Since its formation in the 1970s, the Committee has endeavoured to promote the development of the region as a vibrant economic unit.

In order to facilitate a truly co-ordinated partnership approach, the Committee extended to include key players from the statutory, public, private and community sectors in the region as well as Councillors and Officials.
The East Border Region Committee along with its counterparts ICBAN and NWRCBG have played a significant role in the administration of the INTERREG III monies, in particular reference to cross border Economic Development.

For further details please contact:-

East Border Region Offices
2 Monaghan Court
Newry
Co. Down
BT35 6BH

Telephone (028) 3025 2684 Fax (028) 3025 2685.
Email interreg@eastborderregion.com
Website www.eastborderregion.com

Newry and Mourne Local Action Group (LAG)

Following its successful delivery of the EU Leader II Programme, the Local Action Group, since 2001, has been engaged in the roll out of the Leader + Programme, which totals £1.5 Million.
The Local Action Group is broad based, has credibility, consists of local people and is a cohesive team with relevant experience and expertise in rural development.
The key priorities under the Leader + Programme are:-
· Enterprise Awareness
· Rural Business Expansion
· Rural Premium
· Product Quality
· Infrastructure
· Enterprise Observatory
In delivery on these priorities, the LAG has supported a range of rural businesses across a range of programmes and for further details on all Leader + activities, additional information can be obtained at:-

Newry and Mourne Local Action Group
Rural Centre
Greenbank Industrial Estate
Newry
Co Down
BT34 2QU

Telephone (028) 3026 3177 Fax (028) 3026 3395
Email micealmccoy@btconnect.com

Website www.newryandmourneleader.com

Newry and Kilkeel Institute ‘Business Support Unit’/Greenshoots

The Business Support Unit at Newry Institute offers a large range of services for local businesses and industry with particular emphasis on supporting SME/Micro business.

Support Services include:-

Training for Industry

- Training Needs Analysis
- Tailor made training programmes
- Flexible, cost effective delivery options
- On site, day, evening or weekend delivery
- Training Proposals
- Blended learning options
- On-line Learning

Mentoring/consultancy

- Market research
- Business Planning
- Business Development
- Advertising and Promotion
- Marketing plans
- Financial Planning in business
- Project Development

Technical Support

- Website Development
- Product prototyping
- Architectural design
- Database design and development
- Software design
- Computer networking
- Quality Improvement schemes
- Implementing Quality Improvement Schemes
- Graduate and Student placements to undertake a project based on a development need within your business

For further details contact:-
Claire Byrne
Business Support Manager
Business Support Unit
Newry Institute of Further & Higher Education
Patrick Street
Newry
Co Down

Telephone (028) 3025 9691
Email burnec@nkifhe.ac.uk
Website www.nkifhe.ac.uk

The institutes ‘Greenshoots’ initiation is designed to support economic development in the Newry & Mourne Area and is a joint venture between Newry Institute and the University of Ulster. Located within Newry’s Greenbank Industrial Estate it is the first business incubation centre in the FE Sector in Northern Ireland and its aims are to:

· Promote enterprise and innovation among present and pastgraduates
· Support individuals or companies with business ideas that have high growth and employment potential
· Stimulate higher levels of research and development among small companies in the area.

For further information please go to the dedicated website: www.greenshoots.newry.com

Newry & Mourne Local Strategy Partnership (LSP)

Newry and Mourne Local Strategy Partnership (NMLSP) was established as a Company Limited by Guarantee with responsibility for delivering Priority 3 of the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation 2000-2006 (Peace II Programme) in the Newry and Mourne area.
The membership of the LSP, which comprises 28 voluntary directors, was largely prescribed by the European Commission and includes representation from Newry and Mourne District Council (8 representatives), statutory agencies (6), the community and voluntary sector (5), trade unions (3), the private sector (3) and rural interests (3).
The Local Strategy Partnership has specific responsibility for administering Measures 3.1 and 3.2 of the Programme, with EU funding of £3.2 Million.
3.1 NI Local Economic Initiatives for Developing the Social Economy
3.2 NI Locally Based Human Resource Training and Development
The LSP is currently managing the delivery and implementation of projects/programmes under the Peace II Extension Monies which the EU has granted until roll out of Peace III which is not expected until 2008.

For further information on the Local Strategy Partnership you can contact:-

Barbara Whitfield
Programme Manager
Newry and Mourne LSP
European House
16a Canal Quay
Newry
BT34 6BP
Telephone: (028) 3026 6933 Fax: (028) 3026 6932
Email: info@newryandmournelsp.com

For information on the Peace II Programme in general log on to www.eugrants.org

The Community Business Start Up Programme

The Community Business Start Up Programme was originally devised in 1992, under the heading Community Business Programme. The current programme became operational following a review & renaming by Invest NI in 2001. The Programme is geared toward making a positive contribution to economic development in Northern Ireland. It is designed to assist community groups to set up their own business.

Who can apply?

· New or established local community groups
· Established LEADER groups, CRISP/CERS groups, and other similar groups; and
· Established voluntary organisations (where their interest in community business is seen as a way of achieving Targeting Social Need and meeting the needs of under-represented groups).
Each group will have to display evidence of the group structure in place and the social need it was created for. “Groups of convenience” will not be accepted onto the programme.
The business activities supported by the new Programme must be consistent with Targeting Social Need criteria. They must either:
· Be located in designated disadvantaged areas or
· Provide a service which directly benefits residents of a designated disadvantaged area or
· Employ residents from a designated disadvantaged area or under-represented group.

Economic Business Activity

The following important aspects will be considered in regards to each proposed business idea:
· The business idea is easily identified or relates to a specific community base in terms of ownership and benefits
· The business idea should demonstrate viability and sustainability after funding ceases
· It must be a new business which is not currently trading
· The business does not displace existing businesses in the area
· The business should be able to commence trading within 6 months (may be extended to one year subject to Invest Northern Ireland approval)
· The business must have a tradable product or service which can generate income
· The new business creates jobs
· The level of growth potential of the new business activity
· The business will reinvest its entire trading surplus either into the business or to benefit the community.
For further details contact:-

Newry & Mourne Enterprise Agency
Enterprise House
WIN Business Park
Canal Quay
Newry
Co Down
BT35 6PH

Telephone (028) 3026 7011 Fax (028) 3026 1316
Email lquinn@nmea.net
Website www.nmea.net

Invest Northern Ireland (INI)

Invest Northern Ireland is Northern Ireland’s main economic development organisation.

They are working to increase wealth and prosperity in Northern Ireland and do this by delivering expertise and resources to accelerate the creation and growth of businesses.

Focusing on the three key economic drivers of being entrepreneurial, being innovative and being international, their goal is to help to:-

- Improve the competitiveness of client companies
- Create more positive attitudes to enterprise and more and better quality business start ups
- Increase innovation, R&D and commercialisation of research
- Increase skill levels
- Promote a stronger international focus by increasing inward investment and helping companies develop broader and better exports

They aim to be a world-class development agency that is a forward-looking and a responsive champion of innovation, entrepreneurship and internationalisation.

Invest NI offers a wide range of support and assistance to local companies.

For further details contact:-

Invest NI Southern
Drumalane Mill
The Quays
Newry
Co Down
BT35 8QF

Telephone: (028) 3026 2955 Fax: (028) 9043 6536
Email: sro@investni.com
Website: www.investni.com

International Fund for Ireland (IFI)

The International Fund for Ireland (IFI) came into existence in December 1986, following the signing of an Agreement between the British and Irish Governments. The major contributors to the Fund are the United Stares, Canada, European Community and New Zealand. The objective of the Fund is to promote economic and social advance and to encourage contact, dialogue and reconciliation between nationalists and unionists throughout Ireland. The IFI pursues these objectives by:

• stimulating private investment and enterprise;
• supplementing public programmes; and
• supporting voluntary effort, including self-help schemes
  In recent years the IFI has slightly shifted from pure capital regeneration projects to becoming more partnership and programme orientated in terms of supporting a range of peace training and general initiatives.

For further details contact:-

International Fund for Ireland (IFI)
The Masters House
Abbey Yard
Newry
Co Down
BT34 2EG

Telephone: (028) 3026 6593 Fax: (028) 3026 6571

Other key local development and regeneration community bodies:-

Confederation of Community Groups

The Confederation of Community Groups is an umbrella community development agency established in 1972. It currently operates a number of community services and projects including Newry Volunteer Bureau and Newry Welfare Rights Centre. As well as this it manages employment and training schemes, provides funding and support for community businesses and offers advice and information to a broad range of community and voluntary groups. Its work is financially supported by various government departments including DHSS, T&EA as well as the European Union, Newry and Mourne District Council and Newry & Mourne Health and Social Services Trust.

For further details contact:-

Confederation of Community Groups
Ballybot House
22 Cornmarket
Newry
Co Down

Telephone: (028) 3026 1022 Fax: (028) 3026 0929
Email: info@ccgnewrycommunity.org
Website: www.ccgnewrycommunity.org

Regeneration of Mourne Area Ltd (ROMAL)

ROMAL is the South Down Rural Support Network which acts as an umbrella body for all rural groupings in the wider South Down area. ROMAL provides a range of advice and support services to all groups with its monthly newsletter providing a good update on a range of rural affairs.

For further details contact:-

ROMAL Office
Town Hall
Warrenpoint
Co Down
BT34 3HN

Telephone: (028) 4175 4141 Fax: (028) 4175 4142
Email: romal@globalnet.co.uk

Regeneration of South Armagh (ROSA)

ROSA is the South Armagh Rural Support Network which acts as an umbrella body for all rural groupings in the wider South Armagh area. ROSA provides a range of advice and support services to all groups with its monthly newsletter providing a good update on a range of local rural affairs.
For further details contact:-
ROSA Office
O’Fiaich House
25-26 The Square
Crossmaglen
Co Armagh
BT35 9HG

Telephone: (028) 3086 8183 Fax: (028) 3086 1059
Email: info@rosa.ie Website: www.rosa.ie

Kilkeel Chamber of Commerce

Contact: Mary Tremlett
C/o Special Organisations
Mountain Road
Kilkeel
Co Down

Telephone: (028) 4176 9494

Kilkeel Development Association (KDA)

Contact: 6 Newcastle Street
Kilkeel
Co Down
BT34 4AF

Telephone: (028) 4176 2525 Fax: (028) 4176 9947
Email: pamela@kilkeel.org Website: www.kilkeel.org

Warrenpoint Chamber of Commerce

Contact: Jay Caulfield
C/o Jam Interiors
36 Church Street
Warrenpoint
Co Down
BT34 3HN

Telephone: (028) 4175 2993

Department of Social Development

Through its Southern Regional Office, the DSD provides regeneration support and assistance to a host of local statutory bodies and organisations. Currently their support is very much focused on delivering a range of public realm works (Environmental Improvement Schemes) across the region.

For further details contact:-

Mrs Eileen Casey
DSD Southern Regional Office
Banbridge Business Centre
62 Scarva Road
Banbridge
Co Down
BT32 3QD

Telephone: (028) 406 21721 Fax: (028) 406 21737
Email: rdo@dsdni.gov.uk Website: www.dsdni.gov.uk

Special European Union Programmes Body

The SEUPB was set up under the Good Friday Agreement of 1998 to assist in the roll out of EU Peace and Interreg funding which is available in Northern Ireland and the border regions of Ireland.

A special website (www.eugrants.org) was established enabling those seeking funding under a particular measure to complete an on-line Part A application form, to then download a Part B form, which can then be completed and returned to the funders.

All implementing bodies have different opening and closing dates. These are normally advertised in the press or are available on www.eugrants.org

For further details contact:-

SEUPB
EU House
Kevlin Road
Omagh
BT78 1LB

Telephone: (028) 8225 5750 Fax: (028) 8224 8427
Website: www.eugrants.org