A new initiative aiming to nurture both new and existing business ideas in the western region, was launched on Wednesday 5th November by Action Tuam Ltd in association with Western Development Commission, Galway County and City Enterprise Board and Enterprise Ireland at Beechtree Enterprise Centre, Tuam, Co. Galway. The ‘Take Action Business Competition’ will offer an attractive prize package valued at €25,000 to include €11,000 cash divided between three categories. The launch event involved a successful business networking event attended by local enterprise support agencies and small business owners from Galway, Mayo and Roscommon. Guest speakers included Breda Fox, CEO, Galway County and City Enterprise Board, Ray McGreal, CEO, Western Development Commission, Barry Egan, Regional Director of Enterprise Ireland and Colm Concannon, Sales Manager, JFC Ltd.

John Fahy, Managing Director of Eventus and Chairman of the Board of Action Tuam announced details of the competition and objectives of the initiative based at Beechtree Enterprise Centre, Tuam. The competition is aimed at small businesses and micro-enterprises ie. less than 10 employees and is open to products and services in manufacturing industry and technology sectors. Entries are welcome from individuals or groups living, studying or working in Counties Galway, Mayo and Roscommon. Action Tuam Ltd. is the community enterprise organisation which is funding and running this competition.

‘The cash prizes as well as the potential of a rent free enterprise space at Beechtree Enterprise Centre in Tuam is very attractive and we hope that this will potentially elevate a business to take the next step in development and create new sustainable jobs in our region,’ said John Fahy, Chairman of Action Tuam. The prize fund of €11,000 cash will be divided between three award categories:- The Business Start-up category will be open to entries which are at business plan phase or have only recently set up in business. The second category - Technology Upgrade seeks entries from existing established businesses which demonstrate expansion plans with a new product, service or process. The third level student category offers a prize of €1,000 and judging will be based on the production of a Marketing plan for a new business idea. In addition to the cash prize fund, entrants are in with a chance to win twelve months free rental of industrial space at Beechtree Enterprise Centre along with mentoring supports from Galway County and City Development Board.

Guest speaker, Ray McGreal, CEO of Western Development Commission commended Action Tuam for such successful initiatives for over 25 years since the closure of the Sugar Factory. Speaking at the launch Ms. Breda Fox, CEO of Galway City and County Enterprise Board stated ‘We know that the future of economic growth in the West of Ireland is largely dependent on micro-enterprises and individuals developing their own business ideas. Action Tuam have been one of Galway’s very positive stories of a local voluntary enterprise organisation taking their own initiatives in creating local employment and supporting rural based commercial hubs. I would urge people in the region to take the opportunity to enter this valuable competition.’

Action Tuam Ltd. was originally established in 1990 as a proactive step following the closure of the Tuam Sugar Factory. Having successfully established the Tuam Business Park which is now home to JFC Ltd as well as several other successful employers and international exporters, the decision was made to build a new modern facility on a green field site. The development of Beechtree Enterprise Centre was part funded by Enterprise Ireland under the community enterprise scheme. Based on 7 acres on the Weir Road, Tuam it consists of almost 20,000 square feet of enterprise space providing light industrial units, flexible office space, training and meeting rooms as well as a Hot desk area with 8 MB broadband capacity, wi-fi, 3 phase electricity and free parking on campus.

Anyone interested in the competition may contact Ray O’Connor, Manager of Beechtree Enterprise Centre on 087 9691652 or email takeaction@beechtreepark.com. Competition brochure with full criteria details and application forms may be downloaded from www.beechtreepark.com and submitted by posted or online. Potential entrants must submit an expression of interest form by Monday 16th December 2013. Final competition entry deadline is Friday 28th February 2014. A panel of independent adjudicators made up of business leaders and enterprise support agencies will assess and mark entries in March 2014.