A community and development association which was initiated in a Corrib Park sitting-room was unveiled last week by Galway's Lord Mayor.
The Westside Enterprise Centre will provide workspaces for small industries at affordable rents, with support from agencies. It is a partnership between Galway Corporation and the community association, Le Cheile, which was founded to address the training and employment needs in one of the city's more deprived areas.
Four years ago the group secured a FAS community employment project for the area, and in 1995 it started an EU-funded NOW project training local women for the performing arts. For the past two years FAS has directly supported the organisation under its community enterprise programme.
Cabinet-makers, a fitter and son of a foundry-owner who makes wrought-iron gates, an interior designer and a confectioner are among those occupying the units. Le Cheile provides help for people starting up.