Green energy, tourism and food 'the key to local jobs'

Niche businesses like green energy projects, artisan foods and tourism could provide the key to creating more jobs in Meath, according to an in-depth report produced by Meath East Labour TD Dominic Hannigan. The former senator has just published a study 'Job Creation - Ideas for Meath' which he has sent to his government colleagues for consideration as part of the government's Jobs Initiative programme being announced this week. "The aim of this report is to look at what we can do to help people create jobs for themselves and others. "Hopefully, it will provoke ideas that will stimulate enterprise and also suggest innovative solutions for some of the problems preventing economic growth in the county," he said. The report includes proposals such as the creation of a Meath Boyne Valley 'super brand' to promote everything the county has to offer. It also suggests community wind farms and biomass fuel could be potential green energy niche areas that Meath, with its green fields and large farming community, could take advantage of. It also recommends devising strategies to help small producers in the artisan food sector grow from farmers' markets to supplying larger retail outlets. The job creation study was carried out over the last six months. As part of the research, Deputy Hannigan hosted as series of seminars for small and medium-sized enterprises in Meath. "We got the views of a wide cross-section of businesses from craftspeople, farmers, green energy and tourism specialists to retailers and manufacturers. The people we spoke have proved it is possible to build a business despite the current economic difficulties," he said. The report contains a series of recommendations aimed at supporting fledgling enterprises and helping businesses to grow. They include a working capital scheme to help businesses struggling with late payments and difficulties accessing credit. The report asks local authorities to allow businesses greater flexibility to publicise their products through signs. It suggests that reform is needed for renewable energy projects to gain easier access to the national grid and says PRSI contributions should be revised to provide cover for people who are self-employed. According to the report, start-up and micro-business should be able to access a wider number of grants and funding schemes and businesses which import and are domestic service providers should also qualify for grants. "The focus is on ideas and solutions, which are practical and relatively easy to implement," said Deputy Hannigan. The report reveals that more than 50 per cent of people who are employed in Meath work in small businesses and 90 per cent of the county's businesses have nine or less employees. The job creation study also contains a brief step-by-step guide to setting up a business and a summary of the grants, supports and mentoring services available. "The idea is to explore the process of how to fast-track ideas and turn them into viable business enterprises," he explained. The Meath East TD thanked those who had contributed to the study, including Teagasc, the IFA, the Chambers of Commerce in Ratoath, Kells, Ashbourne and Navan; Meath Partnership, Meath Tourism, local county councillors, Meath Enterprise Board, Failte Ireland and local business-owners. "Small- and medium-sized businesses are the lifeblood of Meath's economy. I know from our research that there are many great ideas and a sense of optimism out there, despite the economic crisis. Job creation is a priority for Labour in Government and this report is a step in my ongoing efforts to highlight why and how jobs can be created in Meath," he concluded.