Merkinch Enterprise

Surveys carried out by the founders of Merkinch Enterprise supported the above conclusions, and concluded that there was a need for a multi-pronged strategy in order to achieve the aims of the organisation. Our strategy is based on four threads - attraction of investment into Merkinch, creation of jobs, providing childcare at a reasonable cost and training the local population in skills currently required by employers. In 1994 local people were given a chance to take part in business planning courses, which led to several viable ideas for businesses that could be set up in Merkinch by the population. From these business plans, three subsidiary organisations have been formed, these being the Merkinch Technology & Training Centre, aiming to bring money into the organisation and the area; the Fliperz childcare centre, providing childcare for working parents, or parents undertaking training; and the News & Views community newsletter, distributed free to all households and businesses in Merkinch every month, as well as various organisations throughout Inverness.