Cllr Neale Richmond (Fine Gael) has welcomed the decision of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council to award grants of nearly €30,000 to Sandyford Business Estates Association.

“These grants were awarded as part of a Fine Gael/Labour initiative passed in last year’s budget and saw recognised business groups provided with funds to help with promotion and marketing activities.

“I am delighted to see that the innovative proposals put forward by Sandyford Business Estates Association have been awarded funding and I am sure they will go along way to reviving commerce in this, the engine of commerce in the County.

“The Business Promotion Fund has allocated grants worth €124,250 and a second round of applications for funds will be opened in early August.”

Please see Grant details below.

Application Ref. No.: BSG/03/2010

Applicant: Sandyford Business Estates Association

Project Description: Development of the SBEA website to include B2B capabilities and an interactive and creative platform for the business community in the Sandyford Business District

Amount applied for: €15,000

Assessment: The project meets the criteria to promote the business area of

Sandyford through the further development of the existing SBEA website to include additional functionality for B2B communication. The grant funding however cannot cover maintenance and other on-going costs associated with sustaining the project.

Recommendation: Approve a grant of €4,000 for the redevelopment of the SBEA website only.

Application Ref. No.: BSG/04/2010

Applicant: Sandyford Business Estates Association

Project Description: “Destination Sandyford” Marketing Initiative by home ware and furnishing retailers in the Sandyford Business District

Amount applied for: €5,384.50

Assessment: The project meets the criteria to promote the business area of

Sandyford, in particular, to promote Sandyford as a retail destination for a range of home ware and furnishings. The costing provided however amounts to €9,300 and hence a 50% contribution will be €4,650. The Committee resolved that the grouping of 33 businesses will have to clarify their commitment and intentions with the “Destination Sandyford” website. If for example, it is part of a current marketing initiative and will go dormant thereafter, it will be important that the IP is designated to a broader business grouping such as SBEA.

Recommendation: Approve a grant of €4,650 on condition of clarification of the intentions with and commitment to the proposed website.

Application Ref. No.: BSG/05/2010

Applicant: Sandyford Business Estates Association

Project Description: Sandyford Business District Communication and PR campaign aimed at repositioning Sandyford from an Industrial Estate to a Business District

Amount applied for: €9,075.00

Assessment: The project meets the criteria to promote the business district of Sandyford. The changing of perceptions of Sandyford from that of a former industrial estate to that of a diversified mixed-use business district will require multiple initiatives of which this PR campaign can only be one.

Recommendation: Approve a grant of €9,075.00.