100TH START-UP IN HEERLEN

[BIZ: Heerlen, December 19]
Since 2003 a Starter Center in South Limburg has been run on behalf of the municipality in Heerlen under the heading of ‘Neighborhood Business’. The objective is to encourage independent business in urban areas. The project has made a contribution to increasing the quality of life and activity in a number of Heerlen areas. The people living in these areas make use of the close guidance that they are offered in starting up a business. Existing businesses can also ask for help.

The background is a responsible approach to business — business coaching in this case — and the result has been that 25% of the aspiring business people have started their own businesses. Because of the success Heerlen decided to continue the project through 2005 and 2006, and now in 2005 the project has seen the start up of it’s 100th business — a shop in the Zeswegen area called ‘Kerori’, which focuses on leisure and tobacco products. The official opening was held on December 19.
http://www.heerlen.nl