Young people are the key to a healthy economy for Skye and Lochalsh, according to the local Enterprise Company.

Launching Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise's (SALE) 9th Annual Report today (Wednesday, 22 November, 2000), chairwoman Karen MacRae said: "Opportunities for young people are essential in order to maintain a vibrant economy. In Skye and Lochalsh we are delighted to see the area's young people taking advantage of the various opportunities presented to them through the Education Business Partnership and the Local Learning Partnership and I am proud that SALE is consistently among the top performers in the UK in regard to the proportion of people moving from Skillseekers to full-time employment."

The annual report details SALE's achievements in another successful year during which the Local Enterprise Company (LEC) met or exceeded all it's key targets.

Karen MacRae also highlighted progress on the development of the Orbost Estate: "Despite continuing challenges at the Orbost Estate, this project offers a unique opportunity to provide housing and business opportunities for young people and SALE remain firmly committed to working with the local community to find solutions. Over the past year we have achieved a number of important milestones in regard to the development of the estate. These included the achievement of planning permission for housing in partnership with the Lochalsh and Skye Housing Association; the adoption of the Orbost Development Plan by Highland Council; plans for the development of two small craft workshops and progress with the forestry management plan in order to improve public access and to expand the amenity value of the forest."

SALE chief executive Robert Muir said: "It has been a challenging year for Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise but we have performed well with targets for job creation and skills development having been exceeded and considerable progress made in community projects.

"One of our biggest challenges has been tackling the downturn facing Scotland's tourism industry at the moment. Tourism is Skye and Lochalsh's biggest sector and is an industry that has given us cause for concern this year. However, we have launched several key initiatives which we hope will boost tourism in the area. Skye and Lochalsh on-line is just one example. This initiative provides a significant web presence for Skye and Lochalsh and allows for the combining of tourism marketing with e-commerce and community websites.

"The links between food, drink and tourism have provided an important focus over the past year with the launch of the Food Futures initiative, which is proving to be an excellent, widely-supported venture. The initiative has helped create a number of other projects including a weekly distribution service for producers who want to get their produce to local hotels, shops and restaurants."

SALE has had a very good year in terms of the amount of European funding that was levered into the area in order to help tourism related businesses such as The Three Chimneys Restaurant at Colbost, Hotel Eilean Iarmain, the Columba 1400 Centre at Staffin and the Bright Water Visitor Centre at Kyleakin. These and other projects have helped to create or retain over 150 jobs, with the value of approvals made by SALE amounting to over £700,000 levering in £2.17 million in private investment.

Investors in People, an award which promotes the development of staff and skills, continued to be an important development tool for businesses and organisations with 15 recognitions this year and 10 new commitments to the programme. This year has also been a success in terms of new businesses with 10 Business Start-Ups.

Community based projects were also a priority for SALE with a total of 19 Community Action Grants having been awarded to a variety or organisations totalling £99,400 more than double the LECs target. One of the largest Community Action Grants went to the Skye and Lochalsh Swimming Pool Association. They received £50,000 in order to carry out a major expansion of facilities, which included the development of a fitness area, sauna, steam room and changing facilities at the community pool in Kyle.

Copies of SALE's 9th annual report, which provides details of its results, finances and is illustrated by projects assisted are available free from the Enterprise Company's offices in Portree or by telephoning 01478 612841.