(We thank Julie Crowley, E Centres Co-ordinator for this important information – S.R.)
Encouraging and growing new businesses has always been important to the economy and never more so than now. Equally, keeping existing businesses in business (that have needed to downsize during the economic downturn) is fundamental to towns and villages throughout Cork County. With this in mind, Millstreet Development Association have made a partnership with Cork County Council and IRD Duhallow to provide a new enterprise facility in Millstreet town.
This Centre comes about as part of Cork County Council’s ‘E Centres Initiative’ which is part of the Economic Development Fund. The ambition is to work with local communities in towns and villages all over CorkCounty to provide such facilities for local people to start and grow their business.
The Centre will be opened by the County Mayor, Cllr. Barbara Murray on Wednesday 23rd January at 3.30pm and all are welcome to come and view the facilities and join in the positive atmosphere of opening the new E Centre.
The new centre, E Millstreet, is located on the Square in Millstreet and hosts 7 hot desks and a large meeting facility where businesses can base themselves with shared facilities at a low cost with other entrepreneurs.
The Centre has access 24/7, is furnished to a high standard, has broadband, direct-dial telephones, a break-out area and comfortable meeting facilities. It has everything a business would require without any of the hassle of setting up an office or taking out a long term lease. Hot Desks are generally rented out on a month-to-month basis and there is also a flexi-desk option available for those who would like to use the centre for just a day or a half day. The big advantage of the centre is that businesses will meet peers in a similar situation, establish and develop supportive contacts with them and the state enterprise bodies.
Speaking of the initiative, Ger Power, Head of Finance and Economic Development for Cork County Council says ‘Cork County Council is delighted to be able to fund the opening of the enterprise centre in Millstreet along with IRD Duhallow and with the support of O’Keeffe’s Supervalu. The ‘E Centres Fund’ is open to any town or village in the County who wish to set up a similar facility. We aim to have a number of these centres in a network around the county. I would like to wish E Millstreet every success in the future with the Centre’.
Ideal clients for the centre include those who are starting or growing a business, those who wish to use a smaller office space due to the need for downsizing or those who are working remotely from head office and do not wish to work from home. The Centre will also be open to those who wish to book meeting space for training or other meetings.
Speaking on behalf of Millstreet Development Association, Veronica Perdisatt said ‘Millstreet Development Association is very appreciative of the support and funding received from Cork County Council, IRD Duhallow and O’ Keeffe’s Supervalu in establishing E Millstreet. Millstreet Development Association would also like to thank Alps Electric for all of their support during the project. We hope that the E Millstreet Centre will become a key facility in encouraging an individual or small business to setup a business in a low cost environment, with access to mentoring and training, while sharing the facility with other small business. We want to encourage small business and individuals that have an idea to come and talk to us at E Millstreet and use the supports structures that are already available. Millstreet Development Association also wants to establish and develop E Millstreet as a facility for training and further education in areas identified to improve employment prospects for people’.
More information on the E Centres project can be viewed on www.ecentres.ie.
