A north industrial estate which has lain derelict for years is set for a major overhaul and clean-up.
The £341,000 investment is being made to the site at Janetstown on the outskirts of Thurso in a joint collaboration between Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE) and local firm JGC Engineering and Technical Services Ltd.
JGC - a well established local company which has traded in the local area since it was established in 1972 will also build a test and trial facility on the estate worth a further £150,000.
The new facility will accommodate work relating to an 'Alliance' contract awarded by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) which relates to decommissioning work at Dounreay. JGC won the contract by joining forces with other contractors from further afield to deal with the safe disposal of residual liquid metal which was used to cool the reactor.
It is hoped that further decommissioning work at Dounreay - estimated to be worth in the region of £4 billion over the next 30-40 years will help attract additional investment to the area - and with the clearance of the old industrial estate at Janetstown, this has made way for site availability for other potential businesses to use.
Carroll Buxton, acting chief executive of CASE said: "Bringing this site back into economic use provides an attractive location for businesses seeking to take advantage of decommissioning contracts at Dounreay. We are delighted the first company to take advantage of this move is one with deep roots in the area.
"This initiative also improves and makes safe an area of derelict land which had become a real eyesore. The Highland Council will also provide street lighting which will enhance the area even further - especially for golfers who use the road beside the site for access to Thurso Golf Club."
The environmental renewal work being carried out at the site includes:
removal and safe disposal of asbestos sheeting and surface debris, and removal of concrete bases;
general excavation of the site and hardcoring;
construction of roads, installation of kerbs and building an attractive front entrance;
installation and overhaul of existing services including electricity, drainage and telecommunications;
renovation of the exterior of one existing industrial unit for use as an office block.
These works will be carried out over a two year period, although phase one of the test facility will be constructed by JGC immediately in order that the contract won from UKAEA can begin without delay.
Director of JGC Engineering and Technical Services Ltd John Campbell said: "We are delighted that the next phase of our continuous development is in the north of Scotland. Our move into decommissioning work is a fantastic challenge for us and we look forward to building relationships now and in the future with our partners locally and further afield.
"Our company can boast an excellent track record of traditional engineering work, but the move into decommissioning demonstrates our adaptability and skill at the high-tech end of the engineering spectrum as well."