LEADER delivers 72 new jobs in Wexford in 2022

An estimated seventy-two new jobs are to be delivered in County Wexford by businesses that were approved for LEADER grant aid during 2022.

€730,000 was allocated between fourteen diverse businesses to facilitate expansion and diversification. The range of successful start-up and existing businesses include niche food producers, tourism enterprises and specialised engineering services from across the county. Meanwhile, a further six tourism focused feasibility studies were funded. In due course, these have potential to result in unique additions to the tourism infrastructure in the county.

According to Tom Bermingham, LEADER Programme Coordinator at Wexford Local Development, this grant aid is supporting the creation of 72 new jobs in the county as well as sustaining 133 existing jobs in the grant-aided businesses. These jobs have a significant impact on the local economy and prove the success of LEADER in improving the quality of life in rural areas.

Wexford Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) in partnership with Wexford Local Development has responsibility for the delivery of LEADER funding in the county under the remit of the Department of Rural and Community Development. The focus of LEADER is to support local economic development, diversification of the rural economy and the creation of employment opportunities in the county.

LEADER GRANT AID BENEFICIARIES IN 2022:

Andrew Jacob, Jardiners View, Bunclody, €33,629.79

Purchase of e-bikes, dehumidifier, washing machine and construction works for a new tourism enterprise.

Mannions Farm Shop, New Ross, €26,047.50

Farm-shop equipment fit-out beside entrance to new Greenway. Purple & Gold Ltd T/A Leisuremax, Wexford, €13,500.00

Purchase of an inflatable adventure zone for family entertainment centre.

Natural Ice Cream Wholesale Ltd, Wexford, T/A Scup Gelato, €33,697.50. Purchase of production equipment to facilitate expansion of Scup Gelato.

Morris Manufacturing Ltd, Enniscorthy, €18,562.50

Purchase of welding equipment to facilitate expansion of trailer manufacturing business.

JTW Engineering Ltd T/A South East Greenway Bike Hire, New Ross, €95,349.74

Purchase of bikes and transporter trailer for new bike hire business at the New Ross Greenway.

Tergiversation Ltd T/A Pirates Cove, Courtown Harbour, €68,625.00

Purchase of bumper boats and go-karts for Pirates Cove entertainment complex.

Una Sinnott T/A Nutorious Nutrition, Gorey, €50,320.31

Purchase of mobile unit, kitchen equipment and marketing supports for a new food business.

Trudies Catering Kitchen Ltd T/A Trudies Kitchen, New Ross, €97,236.73

Construction works, purchase of specialised production equipment and a generator to facilitate expansion of food business.

Regan Organic Produce Ltd, Caim, Enniscorthy, €13,822.50

Purchase of pelleting machine and three-phase electricity supply for food business.

O Neill Foods Ltd, Enniscorthy, €68,276.25

Purchase of specialised production equipment to facilitate expansion of food business.

Heroic Foods Ltd, Oulart, €99,999.54

Purchase of equipment for new oat based crisp to be marketed as “The Heroic Oat”.

Killanne Regeneration Ltd, €16,200.00

Feasibility study for potential development at Rackards of Killanne.

Oliver Kelly, New Ross, €14,760.00

Feasibility study for potential development at Kelly’s Wood outside New Ross.

New Ross Needlecraft Ltd, €18,637.50

Feasibility study for potential development of The Ros Tapestry.

Horetown House Hotel Ltd, Foulksmills, €16,500.00

Feasibility study for potential developments at Horetown House.

Shane Stafford, Adamstown, €14,114.25

Feasibility study for potential developments at Loch Mahon Lakes.

Tennant Consulting Ltd, Tagoat, €15,187.50

Feasibility study for potential developments at IOAC

Total Grant Funding: €714,466.61. n

Enniscorthy Community College

Great range of courses available at Enniscorthy Community College. Check them out at: https://www.enniscorthyccfe.ie/prospectus/mobile/index.html n

Information sharing

Wexford County Council has developed a free online information sharing portal for not-for-profit community owned facilities to inform the public and promote usage. You can submit facility details at: https://arcg.is/1nnjev n

Oulart storytelling house

At Bygone Days Storytelling House in Oulart, a great welcome awaits all, with good music, songs, stories and plenty of craic, tea and refreshments served. Eircode: Y25 YP70. For details of upcoming events keep an eye on: https://www.facebook.com/bygonedayshouseofstories n

Enniscorthy Toastmasters

Keep an eye on: https://www.facebook.com/Enniscorthy-Toastmasters-129333810455771 for news of upcoming meetings at The Bailey, Enniscorthy, the second Tuesday of every month. n