Caithness And North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update
2nd March 2019
Week Commencing 25 February 2019
Energy & Business Services:
The Beatrice Offshore Windfarm project has passed the 75% mark in its construction phase with the installation this week of the 63rd of 84 turbines The company is also currently advertising for a Wind Turbine Engineer to be based at Wick. http://ssejobs.co.uk/caw/en/job/519979/wind-turbine-engineer
Enabling activities:
Caithness Chamber of Commerce - in its role as Europe Direct Information Centre (EDIC) for the North Highlands, Orkney and Shetland - hosted a Brexit Business Breakfast in Thurso today (Friday). The event was well attended, and was also streamed on Facebook Live (watch it again at https://www.facebook.com/edicnhi/videos/2333009543400396/) - one and half hours. Speakers included HIE, Inverness Chamber's Export Partnership, the Enterprise Europe Network and Skills Development Scotland. It was clear that attendees found the very detailed and practical information in the presentations very useful, and several have taken away immediate actions which can be found in the excellent https://www.prepareforbrexit.scot/updates/essential-actions-businesses-should-take-now
Funding for academic-business collaborations in Energy: The Energy Technology Partnership (ETP) offers funding of around £10k towards academic time on a low carbon project that will bring economic benefit to an SME. HIE is a partner in the ETP, which also provides access to technical expertise via 7 dedicated Business Development Managers in various sub-sectors (such as marine, wind, solar, and energy systems). Businesses interested in support through ETP can contact vicki.hazley@hient.co.uk or elain.macrae@hient.co.uk or visit https://www.etp-scotland.ac.uk/
Communications:
As part of an ongoing process of helping communicate progress with the delivery of aspects of our economic transition programme CNSRP's partners work together to generate news stories for local, regional and national media. I also speak on a regular basis to individuals and organisations across the area to update on progress.
This week:The CNSRP Executive Board met this week and heard updates on current projects, as well as agreeing on a route forward for the Partnership's programme of activities. Members also welcomed news that interviews for a new CNSRP Manager will take place next week.
This week's Caithness Courier carried an interview with HIE's Roy Kirk on his role as the Director for the Sutherland SpaceHub project. (not online)
Eann Sinclair - Area Manager, Caithness & Sutherland
Related Businesses
Related Articles
A programme of remedial works to bring Scotland's only funicular railway back into service at Cairngorm Mountain is entering a new phase during week beginning Monday 15 April. With the snowsports season now over, multiple teams from contractor Balfour Beatty, appointed by Cairngorm Estate owner Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), are set to be deployed on the mountainside.
The five-year agreement between Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will also play a major role in contributing to regional economic growth. The signing of the agreement, by Professor Wayne Powell, Principal and Chief Executive of SRUC, and HIE Chief Executive Stuart Black, follows the official opening of SRUC's Rural and Veterinary Innovation Centre (RAVIC), a valued addition to SRUC’s School of Veterinary Medicine, in Inverness by HRH the Princess Royal.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
