Since opening its doors in 2006, Portarlington Enterprise Centre (PEC) has helped to build and support more than 50 local enterprises in Portarlington by providing affordable, high quality industrial units to SMEs.
As part of the commitment to growing local enterprise, our wonderful staff have mentored and advised countless other non-resident individuals and businesses from the locality, advising them where best to seek financial support, grant assistance, mentoring and business training.
Local business resident Robert Kelly, who specialises in high-quality car wash and valeting services, said that he is very happy with the support he receives from us.
“The space” was already up and running, so it was easier for me to start the business as clients will come back. The support from head office has also been great – they service what you need,”
he said.
Portarlington Enterprise Centre was the brainchild of Portarlington Community Development Association (PCDA), and is run as a not-for-profit business, with a voluntary Board of Directors.
During the past decade, our Centre has grown from strength to strength, and we now find ourselves ready to step into our next chapter – the MakePort Innovation Hub.
The Hub, which is due to open soon, will offer more opportunities for local start-ups and small to medium enterprises.
The renovated facility will include a fully-equipped training room, hot-desks, fixed desks and co-working facilities, as well as an innovative makerspace, a community resource with a focus on learning and a view to enabling business in the area.
Centre Coordinator Mary Keogh says
“The Hub is going to be an inspiration to small, medium and start-up businesses. The new facilities are designed to help existing and future businesses get a stable footing to grow from, while the Training Centre is there to assist companies keep up with the ever changing skill sets compulsory for the 21st Century.”
Watch this space for more news. We hope to see you down at the Innovation Hub soon!