Mr. Pat Culleton	Maria Callinan
Chairman	Chief Executive Officer

As Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Laois County Enterprise Board, we welcome the publication of the second Annual Review under the BMW Operational Programme 2000 - 2006. Since the establishment of the Board in October 1993 and as a direct result of it's activities, a total of six hundred and twenty two full- time jobs have been created in County Laois. The Board recognises that ongoing business support and management development are the key to business success and has diversified into providing a wide range of supports for small businesses.

The Laois County Enterprise Board is dedicated to the development of Laois through Enterprise. Its policy has been to secure the future of enterprise in the county and increase employment through assisting and developing startup and investing in businesses ready for expansion. Fostering a spirit of enterprise in Laois has been a key feature of the Board's activities in the year under review.

The Board's performance in the period undoubtedly represents an outstanding success story. One hundred and eighty seven enterprises were financially assisted during the year under the Board's grant allocation, Empower and Childcare Initiatives.

The success of the Board could not have been achieved without the co operation and goodwill of other agencies in Laois - Laois County Council, County Development Board, teachers and local community groups. We welcome the support and assistance received.

The support of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the work of his staff, must be acknowledged.

We would like to place on record our thanks to the Board Members, and to the Evaluation Committee for their commitment to the Board's objectives. Finally, we thank the staff of the Board for their commitment to the work of the Board over the past year.

Staff of the Board

Evelyn Reddin	Brigid Dunne
Assistant Chief Executive Officer	Clerical Officer