143 complete start-up plans in Strabane area

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster outlined the activity in response to an Assembly Question.

She was what support is available through both the Omagh Enterprise Company and the Strabane Enterprise Agency to small and medium-sized enterprises in West Tyrone.

She stated: “Invest NI’s Enterprise Development Programme (EDP) and Social Entrepreneurship Programme (SEP) are delivered by Enterprise Northern Ireland (ENI) through the Local Enterprise Agencies across Northern Ireland, including Omagh Enterprise Company and Strabane Enterprise Agency.

“EDP is targeted at early stage entrepreneurs and start up businesses. It offers individuals a bespoke package of training and support to improve business capability. Participants are given advice on finance, marketing, sales and other fundamentals and are helped to develop a Business Plan for their new business.

“Since April 2009, 315 individuals have completed a start up business plan through EDP at Omagh Enterprise Company and 143 at Strabane Enterprise Agency.

“SEP focuses on supporting new social economy businesses with the potential to grow, helping them to build the skills and capabilities to make an impact on the local economy. The programme offers support at both the business idea and business planning stage. Omagh Enterprise Company delivers SEP in the West Tyrone Constituency (including Strabane). Since 2009 in West Tyrone 28 social groups have participated on SEP with 10 of these becoming established businesses covering a range of sectors such as a community theatre, tour bus company, information technology and childcare provision. “