SHOPS across Co Carlow will be able to call on a new €500,000 fund to help them grow and develop their businesses. Among other things, the package of supports will provide loans to new and developing retail businesses.

The support package, called the Carlow County Council Retail Incentive Schemes, was launched last week by minister Anne Phelan.

Speaking at the launch, acting council chief executive Dan McInerney said: “Carlow Co Council is keen to support existing retail while also putting in place support for start-up retail which occupy currently vacant retail premises and provide essential employment, generate economic activity and improve the appearance of towns and villages.”

Mr McInerney said that if previously-empty retail units were occupied, it would attract more business investors to Carlow.

Details of the scheme were announced by Kieran Comerford, head of local enterprise at Carlow Co Council. He said that the schemes were designed to provide a suite of supports based on the needs of new and developing businesses. “We’ve listened to small business owners. One of the messages we hear consistently from them is that retail needs a package of supports that takes into account the various aspects of their business,” Mr Comerford explained. “The schemes which are now open for applications bring together the one-stop shop concept in a real way by working in partnership with Micro Finance Ireland and the Department of Social Protection to provide solutions for new, existing and growing companies.”

Speaking at the launch, minister Phelan said: “We need to keep life in our towns and villages. I’m delighted to see these new measures put in place to expand the supports available from Carlow Co Council for the SME sector.”