THE DERELICT former Northern Ireland Water premises in the Killyhevlin Industrial Estate, vacant since 2009,has been transformed thanks to major investment from Fermanagh Enterprise Ltd.
The three acre site and office block is now available to business start-ups – giving people currently working from the garage or the kitchen table the chance to move into their own premises explained John Treacy manager of Fermanagh Enterprise.
“We have already had a significant interest in this new premises and there is definitely a ‘feel good’ factor out there at the moment, with some positivity creeping back into our economy.”
Fermanagh Enterprise Ltd which has successfully promoted small Business Start-up and development in the County for over twenty years recently negotiated a deal to purchase the site.
The property extends to 8,000 sq ft of industrial units and an office block comprising over twenty offices and board rooms and covers over three acres with excellent parking and landscaped grounds.
John O’Kane, Fermanagh Enterprise chairman, hopes that the business body’s previous experience will stand them in good stead. The group previously developed a vacant site at Lackaghboy into a thriving busy Business Centre and it is the vision of the Board that they can similarly develop the property in the Killyhevlin Industrial Estate.
“This is a significant investment which does involve risks in an uncertain economy. However, we have developed a vacant site at Lackaghboy into a thriving busy Business Centre which enjoys virtually 100% occupancy and is the headquarters of 41 businesses providing jobs for 145 people. “It is the vision of the Board that we can similarly develop the property in the Killyhevlin Industrial Estate, transforming what is now a vacant site to support business development and create much needed jobs. This may take some time but it is an aspiration which we believe is well worth the effort and work which will be involved.’’
Fermanagh Enterprise is a social enterprise set up and run by a Board of Directors who give their time, experience and expertise on a completely voluntary basis to help improve the local economy within the county.