NEW WESTERN ISLES DATA CENTRE LEADS BY EXAMPLE

The use of new technology to create high-value jobs in some of Scotland's most remote communities has taken a step forward in the Western Isles.

A new data centre on Benbecula in the Western Isles, providing administrative and financial support to the Highlands and Islands Enteprise network (HIE), is set to pave the way for future jobs dispersal in the public sector.

Chief executive of HIE Sandy Cumming visited Taigh Cheann a' Locha (Kinloch House) at Lionacleit, for the first time today. He said: "The establishment of Taigh Cheann a' Locha is an excellent example of how public sector jobs can be successfully devolved across the region. When it comes to jobs dispersal, the HIE network is leading by example.
"When I took over as chief executive of HIE just over a year ago, I made a commitment to establish a data centre in a rural part of the Western Isles, a priority area for HIE. I am delighted to be here today to see the data centre up and running and I hope that other organisations and businesses will follow our lead.  Advanced technology in the 21st century means it is now both efficient and affordable to locate 'back-office' functions in remote parts of the Highlands and Islands."

"Taigh Cheann a' Locha is HIE's second rurally-based office to be established this year with the Scottish Land Fund premises opening for business at Auchtertyre in Lochalsh at the start of 2001. Ten or twenty years ago, this would have been a pipe-dream. Today we can make it a reality."

The data centre is set to employ at least 20 people with nine staff already in post at Taigh Cheann a' Locha. As from tomorrow (Friday 23rd November), WIE's Uist based staff will move from Balivanich into the new premises, making their present building available for other potential tenants. The local careers service which employs three people will also be based in the new centre.

Sandy Cumming was accompanied on his tour of Taigh Cheann a' Locha this morning by Donnie Macaulay, chief executive of Western Isles Enterprise (WIE) and the centre manager, Angus MacPhee.

Mr Macaulay said: "The creation of up to 20 jobs on Benbecula will boost the local GDP by an estimated #500,000 which is tremendous news for this area. WIE is delighted this high quality office building is providing employment opportunities so soon after completion, and we remain confident this initiative will lead to other similar projects in the Western Isles."

Centre manager Angus MacPhee said: "We currently have nine employees in place although recruitment is ongoing and we hope to have the rest of the team in place by early next year. The function of the centre is two-fold; the finance unit will process payments for the entire HIE Network, whilst the training administration unit will contract with and process claims from training providers throughout the Highlands and Islands."