Cork County Local Enterprise Offices Mark 10 Years of Empowering Local Businesses

Four people standing against a teal backdrop with logos and text.

Cork County Council’s Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) have celebrated a decade of empowering local business growth and innovation.  Since 2014, Cork County LEOs in Cork North & West and South Cork have provided more than €13.1 million in financial support to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the region, generating 7,775 new jobs.

Cork County LEOs hosted more than 1,600 business courses and programme over the last decade benefitting more than 25,000 people. Additionally, more than 13,000 business people in the county have received one-to-one mentoring support. 

A special event, featuring several County Cork businesses who availed of support and grant aid from their Local Enterprise Office to grow, scale and expand their operations, was held at the Kingsley Hotel to mark the occasion. Baseworx, Ground Wellbeing, Feed Ducks Initiative, Hyde Whiskey, RetroKit, and Wildberry were among the businesses taking part in a dynamic panel discussion.

Author, performance coach and psychologist Gerry Hussey also spoke at the event sharing insights and practical strategies to achieve personal and professional success. 

Mayor of County Cork, Cllr. Joe Carroll, commended the LEOs for their decade of outstanding contribution, stating, 
 

For the past ten years, the Local Enterprise Offices in Cork County have been the driving force behind our region's economic growth and innovation. Their steadfast support for businesses of all sizes has not only created jobs but has nurtured a thriving culture of entrepreneurship that is essential to the continued success and prosperity of our County.

Chief Executive of Cork County Council Moira Murrell added, 

Portrait of the Chief Executive, Moira Murrell
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Moira Murrell

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Ceannceathrú Chomhairle Contae Chorcaí, Halla an Chontae, Bóthar Charraig Ruacháin, Corcaigh, Éire. Eirchód: T12 R2NC.

Our LEOs have been at the forefront of driving innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation for local businesses. At Cork County Council, we are committed to supporting businesses to succeed and to thrive. Our LEOs are at the very heart of that and have helped to generate almost 800 new jobs annually since 2014.

Through initiatives like the Climate Toolkit 4 Business and Green for Business consultancy, Cork County LEOs have played a pivotal role in helping businesses reduce their environmental impact, lower costs, and secure a more sustainable future.

Looking ahead to 2030, LEOs are set to simplify access to funding, launch a National Enterprise Hub, and double the number of new exporters annually, opening new markets and opportunities for local businesses.