LOCAL BUSINESS SUPPORT
NIBUSINESSINFO.CO.UK is a website provided by Invest NI and funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). It provides free practical advice on a wide range of business matters including finance, grants & tax, employment & payroll, sales & marketing, IT & E-commerce and health & safety. It also provides advice on how to start or expand your own business.
Can I get help to start my own business?
Direct assistance, specifically available for new start-up companies, is available from the Go for It Programme, which is funded by Invest Northern Ireland and delivered in the borough by Acorn The Business Centre. The programme includes valuable training modules in how to effectively running a business. Acorn Business Centre is the local enterprise centre and also offers managed workspace plus a variety of business services and training support to people wanting to start a business, both in the pre-start up and start-up stages of development.
The Enterprise Northern Ireland Loan Fund can be accessed to help start and grow a business. It provides unsecured personal loans for business purposes at fixed interest rates with no arrangement fees or early redemption fees. For a start-up business, a loan can be up to £10,000, and can be repaid over a period of up to 3 years: a viable business proposal is required (where is where the Go for It Programme can help). For businesses that have been trading 2 years or more a loan of up to £25,000.00 is available that can be repaid over a period of up to 5 years. For more information regarding eligibility criteria, etc contact Enterprise Northern Ireland.
For young people, the Prince's Trust and Advantage NI provides general business guidance and support for those wishing to establish new start-up companies.
Invest Northern Ireland also directly provides advice and, in some cases, financial support to anyone who is interested in setting up or developing a business with export potential.
Where can I get advice on running the business?
The Council organises a range of business development initiatives, details of these can be obtained by contacting the Development Unit. Invest Northern Ireland, Business in the Community and Acorn Business Centre also provides a range of advice and support services.
What help can I get to recruit staff?
The Department for Employment and Learning is Northern Ireland's leading provider of employment and training services; its aim is to meet the skills and recruitment needs of employers and to help people find jobs by enabling them to receive the necessary careers guidance and competences. DEL works with employers, employees and those seeking jobs, offering an extensive range of programmes created for today's fast moving world of work. The Jobs & Benefits office provides help and guidance to find work, advice on careers and training and New Deal opportunities and Employer Contact Managers have been appointed to network with local employers to offer a comprehensive, no cost quality employment service discussing recruitment needs and providing information on financial incentives for recruiting from the unemployment sector.
Is there any support available to access training for staff and the company?
There is a wealth of training opportunities available across the Ballymoney area. The Northern Regional College, Learndirect , Acorn and several local community groups offer vocational and academic courses.
Does the Council support inward investment?
At present, Invest Northern Ireland has sole responsibility for attracting inward investment to Northern Ireland, although the Council provides every possible encouragement to encourage inward investment opportunities for the borough including having recently conducted a feasibility study into the development of a hotel in the borough and the publication of an investment prospectus as well as the maintenance of a commercial property database.