Speaking during a visit to local businesses based in Aghanloo, the Sinn Fein councillor said: “These are difficult times. The loss of 1,000 jobs over the past couple of years has not helped as the credit crunch continues to bite deeper.

“But while Council continues to press central government and the Assembly for assistance, it is encouraging to see that small local businesses have adapted and grown from humble beginnings to be key employers in the area.”

Mayor Chivers said although Council has limited resources, “it will always be campaigning for a better deal for local indigenous business.”

During her visit, the Mayor met with local business Seating Matters and Martin Devlin, Chief Executive of Roe Valley Enterprises.

Seating Matters employs fifteen local people at a time when the economy is most in need of new and enterprising businesses.

Supported by Council over three phases of development, the Mayor heard how Roe Valley Enterprises – like other businesses - faces challenging times as competition from other property management companies and the credit crunch continue to confront the economy.

“The Mayor heard from Martin how the Enterprise Agency continues to evolve to meet the needs of small companies; this has been especially important as these companies move from manufacturing to the service sector,” said a spokesperson.

“Providing a range of back office services has helped the Enterprise Agency to remain as one of the key business parks in the area.”

Mayor Chivers said: “I was very impressed by the level of personal commitment and foresight that people like the Tierney family and Martin have shown.”