THE Linden Enterprise Network (LEN) has commence repairs to its main office in preparation for a grand ceremonial launching.The renovations work has drawn praise from the tenants who were operating their businesses under leaking roofs and air conditioners that were in a state of disrepair.

“Everyone received new air conditioning units and offices with roofs that once leaked have been replaced with new roofs,” stated Patterson. Major renovations are also being completed in the conference room which holds most of the Region’s conferences and workshops.

Since its establishment in 2010, there was never a ceremonial launching of the economic programme but this has been made possible now by the appropriation of $150M from the 2015 national budget.

LEN welcomed this initial funding as it was in dire need of financial assistance. And in anticipation of the grand launching, the enterprise has commenced renovations of the building, doing servicing and maintenance of the organization’s vehicles, repaying debts and paying out outstanding salaries.

According to Member of Parliament, Valarie Patterson, the enterprise has never been granted budgetary funding and therefore it is highly appreciative of such assistance since it will not only benefit the staff of LEN but the residents of Region 10 holistically.

“We are very grateful for this funding and we are excited about the launching of LEN and we are anticipating the appearance of the president (President David Granger) to come and give out the first set of disbursements to the first batch of clients,” Patterson said.

Out of the $150M, $100M was appropriated to the micro credit scheme in which all residents of Region 10 can benefit, to materialize entrepreneurial ideas. The enterprise is yet to decide on the criteria for one to qualify and the interest rate for repaying such loans.

Business Incubator
LEN does not only serve the purpose of giving business loans but it is also a business incubator in which approximately 30 tenants are operating businesses at an affordable charge.

In addition to the micro credit scheme, LEN is also initiating a business advisory service in which it will be collaborating with GO-INVEST to further create employment in the town of Linden. The aim of this initiative is to attract investors in the town so that there will be a greater demand in the business arena.

“We need a major company like Agro Processing that will really create and make an impact in the job market,” Patterson noted.

The Linden Enterprise Network was established in 2010 as a successor of the Linden Economic Advancement Programme. The mandate is to advance the region’s infrastructure and to reduce the unemployment rate. Linden is in need of a stronger diversified economy and LEN is working in harmony with the residents to accomplish that goal. (Vanessa Braithwaite)