This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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New European funding for West
07/07/2004
New European funding worth £20 million covering 91 different projects in the West of Scotland was announced today.
Deputy Enterprise Minister Lewis Macdonald said the money be used to promote economic growth, attract tourists to the area and develop community initiatives, and support around 5,000 employment opportunities.
The grants, unveiled by Mr Macdonald during a visit to Loch Lomond Shores, include:
- Funding of £244,707 for the local Tourist Board to conduct a marketing campaign to promote Loch Lomond and the Trossachs area as a destination for UK and international tourists. It is estimated this project could result in 110,000 additional visitors to the area and support 49 jobs.
- An award of £184,378 to support Rosemount Flexible Learning and Literacy Centre in Royston, Glasgow. The project will sustain nine jobs and create one new job to provide training places for adult literacy and numeracy, adult education, ICT access, vocational training, guidance and volunteering.
- Funding of £169,317 for the Glasgow College of Building and Printing to train 80 unemployed people to take advantage of opportunities in the creative industries - such as film and computer games. The project is aimed primarily at people from disadvantaged urban areas in Glasgow.
Mr Macdonald said:
"I am delighted to announce this substantial amount of European funding which will bring significant benefits to communities across the West of Scotland.
"It is particularly appropriate that I am able to unveil this investment while visiting Loch Lomond. Money from this latest round of funding will go to the local tourist board to help promote this area of outstanding natural beauty. It will bring visitors to the area, support jobs and boost the economy.
"This is a fine example of how this round of funding will bring benefits far beyond the bare figures. Every project that receives money will pass benefits on to the community where they are based.
"We believe the money will create and support new jobs but it will also do far more than that. It will help foster conditions for business growth and provide people with access to vital training. It will help adult learners access literacy and numeracy courses and unemployed people find new and exciting careers. "That is why I believe that the wide range of projects approved in this latest round of European Funding highlights the positive contribution the money can make to people's lives."
The following local authorities will receive awards in this round of funding:
- South Lanarkshire
- North Lanarkshire
- Glasgow City
- East Ayrshire
- West Dunbartonshire
For further details on the projects contact Aileen McLaughlan at the Strathclyde European Partnership on (0141) 5724433.
The figure of 5,000 employment opportunities is the gross number of jobs supported or created by the latest round of grants. This will include the continuation of revenue projects and the related jobs. The figure will also include full time training places offered to unemployed participants.
The types of European funding making up the £20 million are:
- European Regional Development Fund
- European Structural Funds
- Urban II Community Initiative
Loch Lomond Shores is Scottish Enterprise Dunbartonshire's flagship project, based on a 100 acre brownfield site at the southern end of Loch Lomond. SE Dunbartonshire acquired the site in 1995, and the first phase was opened in July 2002. The project aims to improve tourist access to Loch Lomond, to provide a reception point for tourists, and to provide adequate hotel and retail facilities.