The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan, T.D., was in Donegal today to officially launch the opening of the new office suite at the Convoy Enterprise Centre, in East Donegal. Mr Winston Patterson represented the Board of the International Fund for Ireland. The Centre is 100 per cent owned by Convoy Enterprise Centre Limited and is a local community initiative conceived with the intention of providing quality business enterprise units, together with associated business support services, in the former Convoy Woollen Mills.  The project was primarily funded by the International Fund for Ireland which contributed EUR 420,000  to the project under its Border Towns and Villages (BTV) regeneration scheme.  Other funders include Enterprise Ireland, Leader, FÁS, Donegal County Council and Convoy Enterprise Centre Limited itself. The new Centre has now been completely refurbished to accommodate a range of high standard industrial and office units with a total floor area of circa 62,000 square feet.  Individual work units can be easily adapted to suit the requirements of clients and range from 1,000 to 8,000 square feet, ideal for companies employing 2-22 people.  All office units are equipped with high speed broadband and the Centre provides 24-hour access to the building if required.   Speaking at the official opening ceremony, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan, T.D., said: "Today’s milestone is a symbol of all that is possible when motivated individuals from a local community come together to create an environment to facilitate sustainable local employment opportunities.  May I compliment all associated with the Convoy Enterprise Centre, for the very significant achievements to date and the exciting possibilities presented for the future. Your part in the provision of an inspired vision, critical infrastructure and the creation of a local enterprise culture can never be overestimated and on behalf of the Government, may I sincerely thank you for this great contribution."           Representing the International Fund for Ireland, Mr. Winston Patterson, IFI Board member, said that the people of Convoy are fortunate to have had a group such as Convoy Enterprise Centre Limited working on their behalf over many years. "Unless you have gone through the process, it is difficult to grasp how challenging it can be to carry out a project such as this. Not only have they done it, but they have done it well." Mr Patterson also recorded the IFI's appreciation for the international donors to the IFI - the US, EU, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, who had made possible the Fund's support for the project. Philip Boyle, Manager of Convoy Enterprise Centre said: "We are concentrating on supporting our clients in whatever way we can: freezing rent to reflect their seasonality, collective savings in energy/broadband, and offering free advice. In short we are focusing on value and our clients’ needs. We can do this thanks to the funding from the IFI." He continued, "The new office suite is an extension of this environment, and will encourage local people to make the leap to self employment, but more importantly help them to get off the ground in those first few vital years." The Centre has already been very successful in attracting a number of existing and start-up companies to locate in the new Centre, employing approximately 50 full and part-time staff. Clients of the Centre include Pramerica Financial Services, Evolve Solid Surfaces, Kitchen Essence, Marble Concepts, Morris Brothers, Mac Security, and Elevation Music Studios.

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