YOUNG entrepreneurs in Fermanagh are being encouraged to turn their dreams into reality with the help of two new innovative support programmes based in The Clinton Centre in Enniskillen.

The First Stop Shop, an initiative by Fermanagh District Council, will support business development by providing advice and support to individuals and community and voluntary groups.

The Social Enterprise Hub, based across the Fermanagh, Limavady, Omagh and Strabane District Council areas, will provide advice and support to anyone with a social enterprise idea, including networking, business drop-in clinics, free space within retail premises in Enniskillen or Strabane, and a virtual office with use of the internet, printer, copier, and phone.

The launch of the First Stop Shop and Social Enterprise Hub, by Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster, took place on Monday..

Shane Wilson, who set up Wilson Insurance Brokers in Lisnaskea, told the audience how he had taken the decision to use his wealth of experience to go it alone. At first it wasn’t easy but with the help of Fermanagh District Council’s Strive and Survive programme and Invest NI he received guidance and support along the way.

“I was faced with decisions and challenges from human resource planning to cash-flow injections and receiving financial support, from new market entry to brand identification strategy,” he said.

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster spoke of the importance to develop Fermanagh and Omagh into a ‘smart region’, explaining that the two areas are “very much working together in a very willing collaboration to find solutions and exploit new opportunities”.

“This is about changing the story for the Fermanagh and Omagh region; sometimes people think we are from the sticks and that’s what this launch is about; making a positive story about the place in which we live and which some of us are proud to represent,” she said.

The Minister also praised Irvinestown, stating that the town “can claim to have the oldest social economy in Northern Ireland; it was their 100th birthday recently” and she paid tribute to Dylan Quinn as well, saying: “You have shown that you can make a dream into a reality and into a business. Hopefully our hub here will facilitate other dreams to become a reality as well.” Speaking to The Impartial Reporter afterwards, Minister Foster said the initiative “sends out a positive message to people who are thinking about starting a new business or want to grow their business”. And, she said that young people in the area should consider starting their own business.

“You don’t always have to go down the traditional route of school or university and then try look for a career. If you have an idea then why not try and develop it now and take it forward,” said Minister Foster, adding that young Fermanagh entrepreneurs “are very inspiring”.

“They are taking those steps forward, they want to own their own business and have a great idea and want to do it in Fermanagh. If people believe in their region, believe that they can do great things then that is half the battle, and then of course government has to facilitate the growth in all of that,” she said.

Minister Foster added: “We have a number of businesses that have started in Fermanagh and it is just about getting them to the next stage of growth. We had G.R White announcing 20 jobs last week, which was a very positive story, a local company determined to grow in Tempo, and there will be other announcements which will show that Fermanagh is a good place to have a business.”