Scottish Government

This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007

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Euro cash for West of Scotland

17/03/2003

A range of projects across the West of Scotland are to benefit from £17.6 million of new European grants.

The grants, under the 2000-2006 Western Scotland Programme, are designed to support local projects promoting economic development and boosting the tourism potential while using the skills and talents of people within local communities.

Finance and Public Services Minister Andy Kerr was in Lanarkshire today at the Museum of Scottish Country Life where more than £4 million of European structural funding has allowed the construction and fitting out of a new extenstion and restoration of a historic farm.

The Minister also officially opened the Rutherglen Business Centre. The development provides high quality managed workspace with conference and meeting facilities to attract companies to the heart of Rutherglen. It has created around 50 new jobs in the area.

Mr Kerr said:

"European funding can make a real difference in our communities by creating jobs for local people, attracting new companies to the area and by bringing about a positive future for Scotland's economy.

"That is why I am delighted to be able to announce today a further injection of over £17 million of European funds which will benefit a range of projects across the West of Scotland. These awards will support projects all over the region from small scale training initiatives and learning centres to grants to support businesses and campaigns to bring new visitors to the region.

"Projects to benefit will include the Glasgow Film City project which will refurbish Govan Town Hall and transform into a dedicated space for companies in the film and media industry. In Lanarkshire, the Childcare in Cambuslang project to train people in childcare will also benefit. It will create new jobs in the childcare sector through training local people.

"I am very impressed by the projects I have seen today which have already benefited from European funding. The Rutherglen Business Centre is an impressive example of a modern business facility, one which I am certain will attract companies to the area. Hundreds more projects have also benefited including the new Museum of Country Life which I visited this morning which has already made a very positive impact on the local community.

"In addition to the European funds I have announced today, more new European grants are due to come to this region through the Western Scotland programme before the end of 2006. I am certain these grants will help us to work towards a modern dynamic economy in the future."

European Funds consist of two main kinds of investment. The European Regional Development Fund provides assistance for people to start or grow businesses; to develop sites and premises for businesses; or tourism facilities to attract visitors from outside the region. The European Social Fund supports training for people working in the region or looking for jobs. It is intended in particular to help people who are long term unemployed; young job seekers; and those excluded from the labour market.

Since 1989 European Funds have invested over £1 billion in the Western Scotland economy. Projects supported include developments at Loch Lomond, the Glasgow Science Centre and the Euro freight terminal at Mossend.

New awards are announced by the Scottish Executive three times per year. 59 projects in this series of awards will share in almost £17.64 million of European funding, as part of a total investment of £26.6 million in local projects across the region. The other funding comes from the Scottish Enterprise network, local authorities, the voluntary sector, colleges and universities and the private sector.

A full list of the new projects which have been awarded European Funding for this round is: