£3.6 million to regenerate the Highlands
Issued by The Scottish Government
Communities in the Highlands will benefit from £3.6 million to regenerate local areas.
Four local projects will receive a share of £26 million awarded from the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) to support local projects that engage and involve local communities in disadvantaged areas, tackle inequality and support inclusive growth.
Successful projects include:
- £500,000 for Strathdearn Community Developments New Hub, a space including a shop, café and changing facilities for the sports facility and events run by the community
- £850,000 for Carse Outdoor Hub, which will develop a long-term vacant and derelict site to provide a social, training and outdoor centre
- £788,000 for Morvern Community Business Hub which will re-establish a site in the heart of the Lochaline village for the local community, visitors and for enterprise activity
- £1.465m for Thomas Telford Corpach Marina, delivering a high quality and sustainable all-year round marina facility at the Western gateway to the Caledonian Canal
Local Government Minister Kevin Stewart said: “I’m really pleased that these fantastic, locally-driven projects will benefit from an injection of funding. They will help regenerate local areas, stimulate inclusive growth and create new jobs.
“The focus of the projects being funded this year range from tackling social isolation, mitigating welfare cuts, providing training opportunities, creating business space and increasing tourism – to name but a few. They are an excellent example of how national and local government are working together on shared priorities that benefit local communities.”
Highland Council leader, Councillor Margaret Davidson said: “Highland Council warmly welcomes today’s announcement, having worked in close partnership with organisations across the region to secure additional RCGF investment to these exciting projects. It is a real testament to what can be achieved with effective partnership working coupled with the drive and vision of community groups and organisations to improve their local area. All the Highland projects receiving RCGF investment have been developed to meet a specific local need. They are shining examples of what can be achieved with local organisations working with Highland Council and the Scottish Government to drive regeneration forward.
“With this news Lochaber is set to benefit from an additional £2.2m of funding towards two key projects which will improve local infrastructure. The creation of a business hub at Lochaline and year round marina facilities at Corpach will both significantly improve the visitor experience. With tourism being one of the cornerstones of the Lochaber economy investment of this nature will certainly secure future growth.
“Two projects in the Inverness area have secured over £1.3m much needed funding towards establishing an outdoor hub in the Carsegate area of Merkinch and a new community hub in Strathdearn. Both projects are ambitious and have each been developed to address the identified local needs. These regeneration projects will provide modern facilities to benefit local communities well into the future.”