Small businesses and budding entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to sample several events aimed at helping them to start or grow their business as part of this year’s Local Enterprise Week in Kilkenny. The initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices, supported by Enterprise Ireland and the local authorities, takes place from the 3rd to the 7th March this year across the country.

While there are hundreds of events taking place nationally during the week, there are plenty of events in Kilkenny open to all. These events will focus on different topics such as supports available from small businesses in the region and Cyber, Physical, Systems & Fraud Protection for small businesses.

A flavour of those taking part in Local Enterprise Week includes a LEO Supports Showcase taking place on Tuesday 4^th March in Hotel Kilkenny and will feature a number of agencies that also offer supports to small businesses.

Each of the 31 Local Enterprise Offices will be running a full programme of events in their area that will tackle a variety of areas relevant to small businesses and starting up. The events are open to all from budding entrepreneurs to established businesses and gives them the opportunity to get expert advice on key areas of business from financial skills, raising funds, exporting and boosting your business online to future trends such as sustainability and digitalization.

Aileen McGrath, Head of Enterprise said “Local Enterprise Week is a fantastic marker in the road for any business. It’s an opportunity to take stock of where you are, see where you can grow, where you can innovate or maybe become more sustainable and see what resources are available on your doorstep. There is something for everyone and those who maybe always had that ambition to start on their own, or a great idea, this is the week to see how to get started and make it happen.

“There are hundreds of events taking place all over the country covering everything from exporting and digital to going green or growing that idea. We also have two National Spotlight events taking place online and open to everyone that include experts from a range of industries. So online or on your doorstep, I would encourage everyone to check out the schedule of events and get involved.”

The Local Enterprise Offices located in the local authorities and funded through Enterprise Ireland support thousands of small Irish businesses and entrepreneurs nationwide. Since their establishment in 2014 they have been for the first stop shop for entrepreneurs and small businesses and providing a range of supports including financial, mentoring, training and sector specific expertise to help guide businesses at any stage of their development.

They also run key initiatives to foster entrepreneurship across the country including Local Enterprise Week, National Women’s Enterprise Day, the Student Enterprise Programme and the National Enterprise Awards. The Local Enterprise Offices are also running a campaign encouraging small businesses to save time money and energy by availing of their competitiveness and productivity supports including Green, Lean and Digital for Business. www.AllInADaysWork.ie For more information on the Local Enterprise Offices go to www.LocalEnterprise.ie

Details for all the events taking place across the country during Local Enterprise Week, from March 3rd to 7th March, are available at www.LocalEnterprise.ie/Week