Economic Development \ Local Infrastructure \ Community Business

Community Business

Introduction

Newry and Mourne has a vibrant community sector and therefore it makes a positive contribution to the economy. This is achieved in part by various community, business organisations, initiatives and programmes.

Confederation of Community Groups

The Confederation of Community Groups is an umbrella community development agency established in 1972. It currently operates a number of community services and projects including Newry Volunteer Bureau and Newry Welfare Rights Centre. As well as this it manages employment and training schemes, provides funding and support for community businesses and offers advice and information to a broad range of community and voluntary groups. Its work is financially supported by various government departments including DHSS, T&EA as well as the European Union, Newry and Mourne District Council and Newry & Mourne Health and Social Services Trust. Currently its income is in excess of £1million per annum, it employs 65 staff and has 450 volunteers registered.

In January 1997 the Confederation relocated to Ballybot House in the town centre. Ballybot House represents a significant achievement for the Confederation as it is an innovatory multipurpose community resource and conference centre. Formerly a Victorian mill built in 1856 it was restored by the Confederation at a cost of £1.7 million. Capital funding for this project came from Europe, I.F.I., National Lottery, the Health and Social Services Trust and the District Council. At the official opening of the project in March 1997, the guest speaker Mr Padraig Flynn, European Commissioner for Employment and Social affairs, said "This refurbished mill is, for me, a symbol of a refurbished north of Ireland".

As well as serving as headquarters for the Confederation and its projects, Ballybot House is also home to fifteen other voluntary organisations including Disability Action, Carers Association and Relate. The centre also boasts a state of the art conference and training suite, available for hire to the public, private and voluntary sectors. The Confederation sees Ballybot House among its more significant achievements as it represents a valuable focus for the wider community and will, in the long term, provide a valuable source of income for investment in local community projects and employment.

For further information re the Confederation of Community Groups Contact Chief Executive Ms. Geraldine Donaghy (Tel: 028 302 61022).

Clanrye Abbey Developments (CAD)

Another example of an excellent community organisation with successful people participating in a voluntary capacity is Clanrye Abbey Developments Ltd. CAD, formed in 1986, came about as a community response to the need for inner town renewal and regeneration. CAD has effected one of the most significant pieces of regeneration in Newry for many years in the form of the redecoration of the old Abbey School in Abbey Yard Newry. The old Abbey building was in an extremely bad state of repair, however CAD have now restored it to its former glory and it is now conservatively valued at £750k and insured for £1.5m. CAD has recently secured £1m International Fund for Ireland support for the development of a new quality office complex on the former Gasworks site which is now complete and houses Intertrade Ireland.

Whitegates Community Business Limited

Whitegates Community Business Limited is a community based property development scheme. Its aim is to provide an economic and social heartland on derelict land between two large peripheral housing estates in Newry. The scheme comprises of a range of retail, office, and manufacturing units and it was funded under the Community Economic Remuneration Scheme (CERS), through the partnership of the International Fund for Ireland, The Department of the Environment and Newry & Mourne District Council. The Whitegates Scheme was launched by Mr Dan Rooney, President of the Pittsburgh Steelers, on 8 June 1995. The scheme was developed at a cost of £315,000 and was officially opened in March 1996 by Mr William McCarter, Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland.

The Community Business Start Up Programme Invest Northern Ireland

The Community Business Start Up Programme was originally devised in 1992, underthe heading Community Business Programme. The current programme became operational following a review & renaming by Invest NI in 2001. The Programme is geared toward making a positive contribution to economic development in Northern Ireland. It is designed to assist community groups to set up their own business.

Who can apply?

• New or established local community groups
• Established LEADER groups, CRISP/CERS groups, and other similar groups; and
• Established voluntary organisations (where their interest in community business is seen as a way of achieving Targeting Social Need and meeting the needs of under-represented groups).

Each group will have to display evidence of the group structure in place and the social need it was created for. “Groups of convenience” will not be accepted onto the programme.

The business activities supported by the new Programme must be consistent with Targeting Social Need criteria. They must either:

• Be located in designated disadvantaged areas or
• Provide a service which directly benefits residents of a designated disadvantaged area or
• Employ residents from a designated disadvantaged area or under-represented group.

Economic Business Activity

The following important aspects will be considered in regards to each proposed business idea:

• The business idea is easily identified or relates to a specific community base in terms of ownership and benefits
• The business idea should demonstrate viability and sustainability after funding ceases
• It must be a new business which is not currently trading
• The business does not displace existing businesses in the area
• The business should be able to commence trading within 6 months (may be extended to one year subject to Invest Northern Ireland approval)
• The business must have a tradable product or service which can generate income
• The new business creates jobs
• The level of growth potential of the new business activity
• The business will reinvest its entire trading surplus either into the business or to benefit the community.

How does the Programme Operate?

There are four stages on the Programme for those wishing to develop a Community Business

• Stage 1 - Initial Application
• Stage 2 - Working up the Business Idea
• Stage 3 - Starting up the business
• Stage 4 - Running the business and future planning

What Grants are available?

• Research Grant
• Formation Grants
• Key worker grant
• Employment grants
• Capital grants (for manufacturing groups only)
• Post Start Assistance

Throughout each stage, expertise and support is available from the Programme Delivery Agents.

Below are contact details for the 5 main Delivery Agents.