Christine Charlton, head of Local Enterprise Westmeath, with Pat Rabbitte TD, former communications minister, at the launch of National Online Trading Vouchers.

Local Enterprise Office Westmeath rolls out online trading vouchers scheme

The Westmeath Local Enterprise Office is rolling out online trading vouchers scheme to support local businesses from this week.

The Trading Online Voucher scheme is designed to help small companies with 10 or fewer employees to access the opportunities trading online presents, to access new markets so that they can grow and create more jobs.

Building on the successful pilot conducted in Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Sligo, Kerry and Louth earlier this year, the scheme is now being launched in every other county through the Local Enterprise Office network.

The Local Enterprise Office Westmeath is the key delivery partner here working with the Department of Communications in implementing the scheme.

The vouchers are to the value of €2500, based on 50% of expenditure, and are targeted at businesses that have a limited online trading presence, have fewer than 10 employees and have a turnover of less than €2 million. Applicants must be trading for a minimum of 12 months.

The vouchers can be used for the development of upgrade of an e-commerce website such as implementing online payments or booking systems. Other usage include purchase of internet related software, online advertising, or the development of an app.

Further details (and application forms, when available) are at www.localenterprise.ie/westmeath, or email localenterpise@westmeathcoco.ie.