170 new jobs were created by businesses supported by Clare's Local Enterprise Office last year.
The offices, or L-E-O's, are supported by Councils and helped in the creation of over 3,500 net new jobs in 2015.
New figures compiled by Enterprise Ireland show that overall, 170 full and part time jobs were created in Clare last year.
But when job losses are taken into consideration, the overall number of new jobs here last year amounted to 111.
The increase means 1,433 people are employed in LEO supported small businesses throughout the county.
There is no breakdown to indicate how many of the positions are full-time.
The rise in employment has been welcomed by Jobs Minister Mary Mitchell O'Connor, who says its a testament to the hard work and personal sacrifces made by entrepreneurs in local communities across the country.
