Ryan Howard, CEO, SECAD
Businesses in south and east Cork that operate in the food, craft and tourism sectors can now apply for funding so they can set up e-commerce websites. South and East Cork Area Development (SECAD) is driving the e-commerce funding drive.
The grant will also apply to co-operative projects, hotels and attractions that have the potential to generate economic activity and employment in the region.
SECAD said today that a prerequisite for businesses to obtain the e-commerce grant is that they must offer something transactional on their website, ie, the booking of tickets, or the selling of products or services.
Up to 50pc funding for the websites may be provided by SECAD. The funding itself has been made available through the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013.
Ryan Howard, CEO, SECAD, spoke of the opportunity for start-ups and established businesses to secure financial aid to help grow their online portfolios.
“Our aim is to provide funding to enable these businesses to attract new customers and generate online revenues through these e-commerce website grants.”
He said companies that wish to apply for the funding must be able to highlight the viability of developing an e-commerce website through which they intend to generate and conduct a significant volume of sales.
General information or brochure-type websites are not eligible, he said.
“This type of funding is ideal for companies involved in tourism and local attractions to enable web reservations, or possibly to develop new online marketplaces for Irish arts and crafts, or even food,” Howard added.
The deadline for applications to SECAD is Friday, 4 May 2012.
