Caithness And North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update
5th May 2019
Week Commencing 29 April 2019.
Energy & Business Services:
As we see positive progress with the Beatrice Offshore Windfarm development, and the development of both Moray East and West projects, a new initiative to support supply chain companies to learn more about opportunities will be held in Thurso on 13th May. The DeepWind Offshore Supply Chain Cluster is one of 8 in the UK (one of two in Scotland) that are being created under the UK Offshore Wind Sector Deal and the DeepWind cluster is the North of Scotland supply chain cluster with the developers that are involved in the projects in the Moray Firth and on the Aberdeenshire coast. It will look at the deep wind opportunity covering both fixed bottom and floating wind and is also looking out to the next offshore wind leasing round, ScotWind, which could see at least one project off the Caithness coast. Companies wishing to attend can register at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cluster-supply-chain-roadshow-tickets-61286468477
Enabling activities:
I met senior colleagues from Scottish Government's Culture, Tourism and Major Events Directorate this week as they visited various sites in the Highland Council area. In my role as chair of the North Coast 500 Working Group we discussed current business growth around the route, as well as some of the pressures being felt in particular areas. I invited David Whiteford, Chair of the North Highland Initiative, to attend our meeting to give a flavour of the work that NHI has been doing to support communities to address challenges and realise opportunities.
Also this week the Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey Trust announced the opening of its new 10 bedroom Granary Lodge accommodation, which was officially launched by HRH Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, and will open for business tomorrow (Monday 6th May 2019). The multi-million pound development will also act as a year round wedding and conference venue, offering further economic benefits to the north economy. https://www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk/news/prince-charles-opens-luxury-granary-lodge-development-177467/
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:
It was great to visit North Lands Creative Glass in Lybster this week, and to discuss its current activities and future plans with Karen Phillips and her team. Steadily approaching its 25th anniversary, the organisation continues to be a UK Centre of Excellence in its field, and plays a significant role in promoting the north of Scotland on an international stage. But it also plays an important role on a local level too, with its community ambassadors (funded through the Aspiring Communities programme) and its fantastic Community Design House space meaning it offers huge opportunity to the Lybster locality. More at https://northlandscreative.co.uk/who-we-are/
Eann Sinclair - Area Manager, Caithness & Sutherland
Related Businesses
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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.
