A new £2million business centre has been officially launched in Llanelli.
The Delta Lakes Enterprise Centre at the town’s southern gateway has been built as a flagship building to help nurture new and young businesses.
Alun Davies, AM for Mid and West Wales, visited to officially declare the centre open for business on Thursday, April 23.
The hi-tech centre has been developed for people aged 18-39 who want to develop new and existing businesses.
Fourteen high quality offices, eight workshops and three industrial units have been built on prime land near the award winning Millennium Coastal Park.
Carmarthenshire County Council is behind the development, as part of a major business support programme.
It follows a schools programme which identified the need for support for young entrepreneurs.
Eight businesses have already taken up space at the state-of-the-art centre, ranging in expertise from construction to language translation.
One of those is Menter a Busnes, an independent company that helps Welsh speakers and people in Wales to contribute towards developing the economy.
Darren Ivey, Head of Consultancy, said: “Menter a Busnes is delighted to have established this partnership with Carmarthenshire County Council as we both share a common aim of unlocking the economic potential of people within Wales.
“The new enterprise centre at Delta lakes is a perfect example of regeneration in action and is an excellent facility for a start up and established businesses alike.”
The centre is located in an area of Llanelli that is recognised as one of the most deprived wards in Wales.
The site is situated alongside the principal Delta Lakes proposed Business Park, which will allow for inter-trading and linking between new and established businesses, as well as providing an opportunity for the small businesses to grow into larger premises on the business park.
Alun Davies said: “Carmarthenshire County Council is leading the way in bringing forward new opportunities for job development, encouraging economic regeneration and delivering skills for young people.
“We can only create vibrant communities by developing economic and social regeneration in tandem. South Llanelli has seen that approach in recent years.
“Delta Lakes is thriving despite the economic gloom.  It builds upon the Assembly Government's work to support business, nurture growth and maintain employment. 
“Delta Lakes provides grade A facilities in a business friendly environment, and I hope to see similar developments across the region.
“It is clear that tenants such as Menter Cwm Gwendraeth and Menter a Busnes owe some of their success to being part of this development.”
Business Development Officer Angharad Harding added: “We are keen to hear from any other interested companies who would like to take up space at the centre.
“They will be offered competitive rents, administrative support, and advice from the council’s business services team who are based at the centre.
“They will also have access to free business advice and business loan opportunities at a low rate.
“There are conference facilities and meeting rooms at the centre, and with other business on site it means there are good networking opportunities.”
For further information contact Angharad Harding on 01554 744325.