Rural Businesswomen Encouraged To Apply For Funding

Female entrepreneurs from country backgrounds have been celebrated at a seminar in Cookstown.

The 'Yes We’re Worth It!' event featured presentations from women who have carved out niche businesses in the current challenging economic climate.

These included County Down’s Ciara Tiernan of timber manufacturing company Willow Tree, Orla Hamilton of Moira who has a permanent Organic Celtic Soaps stall at St George's Market and is expanding to stocking in shops, and award-winning Shauna McCarney who runs an organic baby food production company in Omagh.

Northern Ireland's Minister for Rural Development was present to highlight the opportunities for rural women to set up in business.

The Rural Development Programme supports would-be female entrepreneurs with funding and advice and has offered help to more than 200 projects with women at the helm.

Minister Michelle O'Neill said some rural woman had created successful enterprises despite busy lives and care responsibilities, and she wanted to encourage more to do so.

She said: "Whether it be diversifying a farm business, creating or developing a business or becoming involved in social enterprises, rural women have the potential to help grow our economy."

Teresa Canavan of organisers Rural Network NI said the seminar catered for women at all stages of setting up their own businesses.

She said: "Significant numbers of women were applying to the Rural Development Programme for funding support. We felt there was merit in bringing these women together both as a networking opportunity and a chance to inspire other women who may want to follow their path."

(NE)