Government funds are 'S.T.E.P.' in the right direction

South Tyrone Empowerment Programme (S.T.E.P.) is administering a £254,248 investment to create six new workspace units through their new capital build project.

The funding coincides with the Dungannon organisation, S.T.E.P.’s celebration of their tenth anniversary of providing community development and training programmes.

These new workspace units are primarily targeted at encouraging women, young people and ethnic minority entrepreneurs. These entrepreneurs will be supported and managed by an on site S.T.E.P. project worker.

Maeve Hamilton, European Programmes, Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment said: “The funding for this project came from the Department’s EU funded Peace II Programme which assists local communities in Northern Ireland with the economic transition they require to develop prosperously in society.

“This investment will help stimulate growth, develop potential, create jobs and facilitate skills development thus providing a foundation for increased investment and employment opportunities for the people in the Dungannon area.”

The Local Community Fund, administered by Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council, The International Fund for Ireland and S.T.E.P. itself have also provided funding to the build.

Trevor McBriar, International Fund for Ireland (IFI) said: “The IFI has been extremely supportive of S.T.E.P.’s project by helping to create these much needed additional workspace units to accommodate new and expanding businesses. Creating conditions within which business opportunities can flourish has been key for the Local Community Fund.”

Chief Executive of S.T.E.P., Bernadette McAliskey summarised the project by saying: “The most succinct description of this project would be incubation units for entrepreneurs with specific barriers to successful enterprise. We are expecting there will a high demand for the workspace.

“S.T.E.P. identified a need for units of this type and thankfully DETI, Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council and IFI agreed with us and between them have provided over 85% of the cost of this building.”

The capital build project is due for completion in February 2008 where it will leave behind a legacy of the work completed over the past ten years by the S.T.E.P. organisation.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. The breakdown of funding for the S.T.E.P. six workspace units is as follows: Peace II £127,124, IFI £40,000, Local Community Fund £50,000 and Promoter £37,124.
2. Media queries to: DETI Press Office on 028 9052 9348.