MERKINCH Enterprise marked its continuing development and success with an official relaunch at its new premises in Grant Street on Friday 9th February.

Carrying out the honours was Ross, Skye and Inverness West MP Charles Kennedy, who kindly accepted an invitation to fit the event into his busy schedule as leader of the Liberal Democratic Party.

Welcoming Mr Kennedy to the smartly refurbished No.14, Merkinch Enterprise’s Chief Executive Colin Downie gave a brief outline of the charity organisation’s history since its opening in 1992, through the commencement of European funding in 1994 to its successful Lottery application the following year.

“The Enterprise today now operates as an umbrella organisation for many diverse activities, including job information, market research, web design and all IT-related topics and services. We continue to produce our very own community newsletter and let’s not forget our successful childcare centre at Fliperz,” he said. “Community IT training is still a major provision for the area and lastly our successful commercial training centre.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who continue to support this community organisation: Inverness & Nairn Enterprise through training and community action grant aid, the Highland Council’s Economic Development Department, and of course our Board of Directors without all of whom we would not be the success that we undoubtedly are today.”

Mr Kennedy, who was accompanied by local MSP and his Liberal colleague John Farquhar Munro, told staff and Board members present, “The move to these new premises offers enhanced facilities for users with all the offices now under one roof. This offers a welcome boost to the community and I would urge everyone to take full advantage of the help and support on offer.

“One of your great successes as an enterprise has been the specific focus that you bring to the business and the opportunities that result. I’ve been a big admirer of that and that’s why it is pleasing to see you move into new and improved premises.”

The £30,000 refurbishment of the new office was paid for with £10,000 from Inverness & Nairn Enterprise. A further £4900 came from a Highland Council Economic Development award. The company paid for remainder of the cost from its own profits.

WHILE in Merkinch, Mr Kennedy also visited the first Merkinch Jobsfair which was organised by the Action Team, based four mornings a week at mp33.

Neil Harris of the Action Team told News & Views that although there had not been a huge turn-out on the day, it was too early to tell how successful the event had been. “What will matter is how many move into employment – that’ll be the true gauge,” he said.

The Action Team was set up in October 2000 and has funding guaranteed for a year. The project can help those wanting to get back into work in a range of ways – with the costs of interviews and transport, childcare and lying time. The help the team can give is tailored to the individual’s needs.

“We want to contact people out there who might consider going back to work if they realised they could get help,” said Mr Harris.