Damien English TD, minister of state for business, employment and retail; Jo Browne, Kieran Comerford, head of economic development & enterprise at Carlow LEO
A SMALL Co Carlow company will get a chance to exhibit its business to almost 300,000 people at the National Ploughing Championships this month as part of the Local Enterprise Village.
The initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) will see 31 small businesses, one from each LEO, take a stand in the Local Enterprise Village in the heart of the ploughing championships, opening their businesses up to almost 300,000 prospective customers across the three days of the event.
Jo Browne Ireland, which is supported by LEO Carlow and makes luxury natural products for personal and home use, will represent Carlow in the Local Enterprise Village.
Kieran Comerford, head of economic development and enterprise at Carlow County Council’s LEO, described the initiative as a significant opportunity for these businesses.
“Small businesses very rarely get an opportunity like this, and it could be a significant event for them, all in the growth of their business. They will be at the very heart of the action at the ploughing championships, getting the chance to tell their story and sell their product or service to a massive new audience, an audience that will be excited to be back following a two-year break.
“We have been working with Jo Browne Ireland over the summer to ensure they maximise this opportunity through sales and marketing training and stand design. The Local Enterprise Village is always a great centre of activity and no doubt will be one of the big hits for visitors to Ratheniska this September.”
A variety of products and services will be on show for the visitors to this year’s ploughing championships to enjoy, which includes food, fashion, ag-tech products, farm safety equipment, spirits, sportswear and even skincare for animals!
Speaking about the Local Enterprise Village for 2022, cllr Brian O’Donoghue, cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council, wished Jo Browne and all her team the very best.
“I’m also delighted that Carlow County Council is the co-ordinating local authority for the national Local Enterprise Village and leading the LEO exhibitions committee for 2022. The ploughing is a great opportunity for SMEs. Given that it is hosted in our neighbouring county of Laois, the spin-off benefits for Co Carlow will also be significant and I look forward to visiting the Local Enterprise Village and the event during September.”
The Local Enterprise Village was launched by minister Damien English along with some of the businesses that will be involved, including handmade children’s furniture company Lucy & Me, Donegal designer Bernie Murphy and Carlow’s representative Jo Browne Ireland.
