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Cash for job creation
20/04/2010
Around £17.4 million is to be invested in urban regeneration and rural development projects including new business parks, training centres and the renewable energy industry, helping to create around 950 new Scottish jobs.
Finance Secretary John Swinney said cash from the European Regional Development Fund, allocated by the Scottish Government, would help sustain employment around Scotland, boost economic recovery prospects and assist with the development of a low carbon economy.
The 19 project allocations announced today include:
- Almost £1.5 million to support the construction of a new facility for offshore decommissioning and renewables infrastructure at Peterhead Port Up to £2.1 million for the Galashiels Transport Interchange, which will create business space integrated with transport facilities in the Borders town
- £1.5 million for Fairfield Business Premises in Govan, which will create business workspace and a learning/training facility Almost £1.2 million to help create three new business parks in Angus
- £1.2 million towards the development of a new Scottish Traditional Skills Training Centre in Aberdeenshire
Mr Swinney said:
"While there are signs of a fragile recovery, this undoubtedly remains a very challenging economic climate. It is absolutely right that the Scottish Government uses all of the levers at its disposal, including European funding, to support projects which can maximise employment opportunities and support our economy through the downturn and towards sustainable economic growth.
"I am delighted by the variety of projects supported by this latest cash injection, from new business facilities to the renewable energy industry. The projects have the potential to support the creation of around 950 new jobs in Scotland.
"This builds on the Scottish Government's Economic Recovery Plan, which has already directly supported up to 15,000 jobs in the Scottish economy at this difficult time. This funding will provide a further and timely boost to our recovery prospects and be warmly welcomed in many Scottish communities."
The energy project at Peterhead will exploit major opportunities in both the renewable energy and decommissioning sectors and help create 50 new jobs. It will form part of the wider Energetica project, an ambitious public-private partnership being driven by Scottish Enterprise on behalf of Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Future to position the North East as the next generation global energy hub.
Lena Wilson, Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise, said:
"This additional funding will be a significant boost to Scotland's offering around renewable energy. Peterhead is one of the priority sites identified in the Scottish National Renewables Infrastructure Plan and this is an important milestone in ensuring the North East of Scotland can exploit major new opportunities in both the renewable energy and decommissioning sectors."