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Take Advantage, To Achieve Your Business Advantage! |
24 September 2002 |
Business Advantage has been up and running for almost a year, and is based in the Town Hall, Stornoway, and at the Comhairle's office in Balivanich. The programme is jointly-funded by the European Community, through the Highlands & Islands Special Transitional Programme (HISTP) and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.
In recognising the successes of the Comhairle's business development services over the past months, Lochmaddy Councillor Donald MacLean, Chairman of the Comhairle's Sustainable Development committee, said this week, "The most significant thing about Business Advantage is that it is totally new money, but it will not be there forever! I would encourage anyone in the Western Isles, who is thinking of either setting up in business, or expanding their existing company to contact our Development Officers in Stornoway or Balivanich."
Business Advantage provides a comprehensive range of advice, support, and financial assistance packages to new business projects throughout the Western Isles. This is in addition, and complementary to assistance already available through the Comhairle's partnership with other public and private -sector agencies.
In order to foster and encourage the spirit of entrepreneurship among young people, a full-time Youth Enterprise Development Officer, Jane Campbell, was also appointed at the same time to co-ordinate "Enterprise Youth", which operates under the Business Advantage umbrella. Enterprise Youth encompasses a range of business development support throughout the islands, to youngsters aged between 14 and 30.
Donald MacLean continued, "In addition, for the first
time as part of Business Advantage we appointed a full-time
officer for the front-line delivery of business-development
services in the Uists & Barra. The Comhairle has long-recognised
the perilous state of the Western Isles economy, and with
the help of the EC through the HISTP programme, has committed
substantial funding to this project for the next two years."
"As a result of these initiatives, and in consultation
& partnership with other bodies such as Western Isles
Enterprise, the Royal Bank of Scotland, the Prince's Scottish
Youth Business Trust, and the Western Isles Fisherman's Association,
the Comhairle aims to enhance our existing reputation within
the economic development sector throughout these islands for
the foreseeable future".
Financial assistance is currently available for new business
projects throughout the Western Isles, in the form of interest-free
loans and grants for marketing. The importance to local businesses
of marketing what they make, create, or offer, in terms of
goods and services, has also been recognised. Marketing grant
assistance for a comprehensive range of marketing activities
is available to locally-based businesses, be they new enterprises,
or existing companies with new proposals for expansion.
Finally, in a bid to encourage enquirers to come forward
for advice and support, the Comhairle has published details
of businesses receiving assistance through Business Advantage
since inception, on its
website. In future it is planned to utilise local and
community-based newspapers throughout the Western Isles on
a quarterly basis to publicise those who receive Business
Advantage assistance from publicly-funded schemes.
Enquirers can source further information by visiting the
offices in the Town Hall, Stornoway, in Balivanich, or by
telephoning 01851-707475 (Lewis & Harris), or 01870-602425
(Uists & Barra), or by E-mail to, business.advantage@cne-siar.gov.uk
ENDS
Further Information:
Domhnall MacDonald
Senior Business Development Officer
Department for Sustainable Communities
Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar
STORNOWAY
Isle of Lewis
HS1 2BF
Tel: (01851)-707470
Fax: (01851)-703657
Mobile: (07741)-176382
Email: domhnall@cne-siar.gov.uk
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