Caithness Map :: Links to Site Map Great value Unlimited Broadband from an award winning provider  

 

HIE reports successful year in Caithness and Sutherland

16th May 2016

Photograph of HIE reports successful year in Caithness and Sutherland

Economic development agency, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), has reported a successful year of investment and job creation in the region for 2015/16 - its 50th anniversary year.

Year-end figures compiled by HIE show an estimated 855 jobs are expected to be created or retained in the region, as a result of HIE's investments last year, 87 of these in Caithness and Sutherland, 17 of which are in fragile areas.

Turnover across the HIE area among supported businesses and social enterprises is anticipated to increase by £140 million over three years and international sales by £90 million. In Caithness and Sutherland turnover will increase by £8.3million and as part of Scotland's Economic Strategy priority of internationalisation, these investments anticipate international sales growth of £3.58million.

Projects supported include the establishment of a new food business harvesting and processing seaweed in Wick and a multi-million pound hotel expansion at the Links House in Dornoch which attracted a £600,000 funding package.

HIE’s focus on attracting investment from other parts of the UK led Aberdeen-based Enerquip to invest in a fabrication facility at Lybster. This will create six high quality, full time jobs in a fragile area within three years.

The local engineering sector in Caithness and Sutherland was encouraged to diversify away from a dependence on Dounreay and drive towards better value solutions that exploit the latest conditions in the oil and gas sector. Thurso based JGC Engineering and Technical Services Ltd invested in equipment with HIE assistance to help increase its business in the renewable energy market.

Innovation continued to be a key driver of the Caithness and Sutherland economy and salmon farming company Loch Duart Ltd from Scourie was supported to work with academia towards developing a sustainable packaging solution.

HIE worked collaboratively with others including the UK Space Agency to investigate the feasibility of a vertical launch site, potentially to be sited near Tongue. Meanwhile, the Kylesku Hotel on Sutherland’s west coast invested in workforce development with HIE’s help, creating more secure jobs for local people.

During 2015/16 HIE worked with 19 community enterprises in Caithness and Sutherland. The highlight was support towards a youth and community centre in the fragile Bonar Bridge area. Scourie Community Development Company also secured investment through the HIE-managed Scottish Land Fund to purchase 1.76 hectares to build an exhibition centre and community hub.

Elsewhere, digital connectivity was further improved in many areas of the Highlands and Islands through the HIE-led Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband project. Thousands of homes and businesses in Wick, Thurso, Dornoch and Golspie can now already request access to faster broadband. Other parts of Caithness and Sutherland are scheduled for activation by the end of 2016.

Commenting on the region’s progress, HIE chairman Professor Lorne Crerar, said: "The current challenges facing industries, businesses and commercial growth worldwide are well documented. The progress we have seen in the Highlands and Islands over the past year, in the context of those challenges, is testament to the superb levels of ambition, entrepreneurship and innovation that thrives in businesses, social enterprises and communities across our region. HIE’s role is to foster those qualities and invest in initiatives that stimulate and enable growth."

Roy Kirk, HIE’s area manager for Caithness and Sutherland, added: "Effective engagement with a wide range of businesses, communities and social enterprises has typified another successful year for HIE in our area.

“During the past 12 months communities developed inspiring solutions to social challenges; businesses continued to prove their adaptability to changing market conditions; and social enterprises demonstrated their entrepreneurial skills.

“We will continue to forge effective partnerships with stakeholders to ensure growth aspirations are realised, fragile areas are prioritised and growth sectors deliver their potential. Maintaining an active role in the Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership will continue to play an important part in building confidence in the community and local economy."

Details of HIE’s progress last year will be published in the organisation’s annual report later in the year.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

New Orkney Whisky Distillery In Moves To Create Jobs And Lower EmissionsThumbnail for article : New Orkney Whisky Distillery In Moves To Create Jobs And Lower Emissions
Deerness Distillery Ltd has secured £246,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) for the £820,000 development.   Construction is underway at the distillery, which was founded by husband-and-wife team Stuart and Adelle Brown.  
Cuts And More Cuts But Still Cash For Arts In Highland - £30,000 For TapestriesThumbnail for article : Cuts And More Cuts But Still Cash For Arts In Highland - £30,000 For Tapestries
The Co-Chairs of the Inverness Castle Delivery Group, Fergus Ewing MSP and Cllr Ian Brown, are delighted to announce the award of £30,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in support of framing the 57 panels that will form the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands.   This financial commitment from HIE has contributed significantly to the preservation of the 57 panels created by communities across the Highlands and Islands, of which 32 will be included in the first exhibition as part of the Inverness Castle Experience.  
£24.5m To Secure £350m Inward InvestmentThumbnail for article : £24.5m To Secure £350m Inward Investment
Sumitomo Electric UK Power Cables Ltd plans to establish major operations in the region, supplying high voltage cables to the growing offshore wind energy sector.   A funding package has been agreed to secure an estimated £350m in inward investment for Scotland, based in the Highlands.  
Property Demand Study Launched By Highlands and Islands Enterprisie
As part of the study, businesses, community groups and social enterprises with future land or property plans are encouraged to complete a short survey by 22 March 2024.   Whether it's interest in land for sale or space to lease, HIE is keen to hear from organisations already based in the region as well as from those that are considering locating a business to the area.  
Shetland Engineering Firm Expands And Creates JobsThumbnail for article : Shetland Engineering Firm Expands And Creates Jobs
L&M Engineering has secured a grant of £58,914 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) for the development, which is set to boost business turnover by £1.2m and create two jobs over the next three years.   The company is diversifying its operations to cater for additional aquaculture markets.  
Region's Businesses Value Community Links
Most businesses in the Highlands and Islands consider their links with the local community as either equal to or more important than their profitable growth.   This is one of the key findings of the most recent rural business survey commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in partnership with South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE).  
Support Programme Takes Young Entrepreneurs To The Next Level
Dynamic business support programme, IMPACT30, is aimed at nurturing and empowering the next generation of innovative leaders.   The fully funded programme is for people aged under 35 in a young enterprise and in a key decision-making role.  
Power Boost For Off-grid Island
A project to increase electricity supply and reduce emissions on a west coast island has been awarded more than £25,000 by HIE.   The HIE funding is being used to replace and upgrade high voltage transformers and other associated equipment to enable a major upgrade of the renewable energy supply on the Isle of Muck.  
Region's Young Workforce To Take Part In Pioneering Sustainability Skills ProgrammeThumbnail for article : Region's Young Workforce To Take Part In Pioneering Sustainability Skills Programme
Region's young workforce to take part in pioneering sustainability skills programme.   Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Zero Waste Scotland and business transformation enterprise Powering Futures have teamed up to provide the fully-funded places on the Highlands and Islands Powering Futures Challenge 2024.  
New Facility For Renewables Industry Trainees
People working in or entering Scotland's growing renewables industry will soon have access to a new training facility in Inverness.   The £1.22m Renewable Energy Training Centre, being established by Aurora Energy Services Ltd, (AES) will be the first of its kind in the region.