Bank of Ireland invests over €1.2 Million in Enterprise Town Programme 2017

• Bank of Ireland Enterprise Towns to run in a record number of over 120 in communities nationwide
• 10,000 exhibitors including businesses, sports clubs, schools and community groups will participate this year
• Enterprise Town events provide economic boost to local communities and businesses
•  Estimated 110,000 connections will be made – business to business/customers

Bank of Ireland today announced that it is investing in excess of €1.2 million in its Enterprise Town initiative in 2017. Following the success of the Enterprise Town Programme in 2016, which involved 100 communities across the country, Bank of Ireland has confirmed that over 120 Enterprise Town events will take place nationwide this year.

The Bank of Ireland Enterprise Town programme aims to bring local businesses, education, sports and cultural organisations together, boosting the participating town’s economic activity. Enterprise Town is typically run as a two day business, sport and community Expo.

In 2016 1,000 Bank of Ireland staff were involved, with over 6,100 businesses, 1,900 sports and community groups, and some 236 first and second level schools participating. Over the course of the year it is estimated over 91,500 ‘connections’ were facilitated through the Enterprise Town initiative, with the aim that as many of these connections as possible will lead to increased business activity for the towns taking part.

Each Enterprise Town has the option to undertake a fundraising drive for a local cause with donations up to €1,000 being matched by Bank of Ireland through its ‘Give Together’ charity and community initiative.

Bank of Ireland also provides high profile guest speakers for many of the events, including Gavin Duffy, Rachel Allen, Marty Morrissey, John Giles and Dáithí Ó’Sé. These speakers address topics such as business success, teamwork, motivation and leadership.

Speaking about the launch of the 2017 Enterprise Town programme, David Merriman, Head of Enterprise Development, Bank of Ireland said, “The feedback from communities involved in this programme has been overwhelmingly positive, which is why we are continuing to grow the initiative, increasing our numbers to over 120 towns for the coming year. As Ireland’s largest lender, and with 250 branches nationwide, Bank of Ireland is a core part of the communities we serve. Through our Enterprise Town programme we want to invigorate and re-energise communities, showcasing what is on offer in these towns and supporting economic growth and development.”

Visit www.bankofireland.com/enterprisetown to see the full schedule of activity for Enterprise Town 2017.

Ends

Note to Editors:

Bank of Ireland Enterprise Programme
The Enterprise Town initiative is part of Bank of Ireland’s overall Enterprise programme, which incorporates bi annual National Enterprise Weeks, the Bank’s Enterprise Lounges and Workbenches that provide free work and meeting space for entrepreneurs, and many more sector specific seminars and outreach programmes throughout the year. These include the CorkBIC Entrepreneur Experience, and the Start-Up awards.