Boost for local businesses as South Dublin County Council announces €1.2m fund for small and medium business support scheme.

15/01/2014

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Boost for local businesses as South Dublin County Council announces €1.2m fund for small and medium business support scheme.

Businesses in South Dublin County are to be boosted with the establishment of a €1.2 fund to ease the rates burden on the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector. This new countywide business support scheme was unanimously approved by the elected members at the council meeting held on the 13th January 2014. The fund which is potentially open to 70% or 4,700 of the total commercial ratepayers will be paid as a financial support to occupiers of properties in the administrative area of South Dublin County with annual rates bills of less than €10,000 in 2014. The support payment will range between €75 and €670 depending on the annual cost of commercial rates for the applicants property. In order to be eligible for the fund, applicants must pay their commercial rates (including arrears) in full by the 31st July 2014. Ratepayers paying by direct debit will be afforded a year end deadline .The applicants must also participate in and complete an Economic Profiling Survey being conducted by South Dublin County Council in conjunction with the South Dublin Chamber of Commerce.

The Mayor of South Dublin County, Councillor Dermot Looney, said: “"I am delighted that the Council has approved this scheme following the decision of members to include a €1.2 million fund in our 2014 Budget. Retailers and small to medium enterprises make up the majority of businesses in South Dublin County and are vitally important to the local economy. Many of these companies have been hit hard by the economic slowdown. Councillors have, in recent years, sought to support these companies and their employees through rate reductions and freezes and a range of business supports. I am proud to support a scheme which prioritises smaller enterprises and targets local employment, growth and innovation.”

County Manager Daniel McLoughlin added that “Economic Development matters are of the highest importance to this authority and a core activity of local government. The Council is playing a critical role in economic recovery and this initiative must be viewed in that context. South Dublin County Council as part of its 2014 budget made specific provisions totalling €5 million aimed at stimulating economic development, sustaining and creating jobs and ensuring that the appropriate supports are in place”

More information on the terms and conditions of the Small and Medium Business Support Scheme 2014 can be found on the council’s website at: http://www.sdcc.ie/business/enterprise/sme-business-support-scheme-2014 and will be circulated to all businesses in the coming weeks.

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