The Kilkenny County Enterprise Board continues to provide supports to facilitate the establishment, development and growth of micro-enterprises in the county. The Board, chaired by the County Manager, Mr. Michael Malone and comprises representatives of a wide range of state and semi-state organisations along with local business and community interests. The presence of four elected representatives of the local authority in particular, adds to the democratic legitimacy and accountability of the Board.

The Board provides supports to improve the entrepreneurial environment as well as the viability and management development ability of small businesses. The Board is now firmly established as the first point of contact for small businesses, offering a wide range of customised supports from basic information and advice through to grant-aid.

The Board approved financial assistance totalling circa €350,000 to an additional 31 business projects in 2004. These projects have the potential to create an additional 61 full-time jobs when fully operational. This brings the total number of jobs created by the Board in the last 10 years to 930, at a cost per job of just €5,600, which represents excellent value for EU and Exchequer funding.

A total of 532 people participated in over 35 training & management development programmes organised and delivered by the Board in 2004. These ranged from "Start Your Own Business" Training Courses through to "Computerised Accounts" Training to "Financial Training" and "Sales & Marketing" Programmes for Business Owners. The more successful small businesses tend to be promoted by owners that pay particular attention to detail, that have proper management controls and business planning techniques in place and that have an ability to respond quickly to change. In this regard, the CEBs provide a "ladder" of supports, that take account of the various stages of development and circumstances of their clients, while at the same time encouraging and facilitating them to "step-up" to the next level.