Keatley pushes for business incentive scheme

Old Kilcullen based councillor Ivan Keatley is looking for support from colleagues on Kildare County Council for a business incentive scheme that would refund commercial rates to businesses which locate in town and village centre premises that have been vacant for 12 months, writes Brian Byrne.

The scheme is to be brought before next month’s 2014 budget estimates meeting of Kildare County Council, and would also include rent reductions.

Cllr Keatley is on the Athy Area Committee for the last two years and says lack of support for small businesses and the rise in the number of vacant business premises in our towns and villages are the visible evidences of the recession.

"We need to encourage small start-up businesses that are the backbone of our economy," he says, “I will be pushing to have this scheme adopted in the estimate’s process so it can be introduced from January 2014. I believe it will help small businesses to set up in premises that are currently vacant and that are in danger of becoming eyesore’s in towns such as Athy and Castledermot.”

“Small local business is the lifeblood of South Kildare’s economy providing essential economic activity and employment in every small town and village. I believe these measures if agreed, will make Kildare a better place to start up and run a business."