Partnership Welcomes Commitment Of HIE £12m

18th August 2011

A £12 million commitment given to Caithness & North Sutherland to help prepare the local economy for life beyond Dounreay has now been fully committed.

Members of the Caithness & North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership's Advisory Board heard at its recent meeting that £12.08 million had now been committed to projects, and that some £3.5 million of this has now been spent.

The news came in an update from HIE Area Manager Roy Kirk to Advisory Board Chairman Cllr Sandy Park. The original 2006 commitment from then HIE Chief Executive Sandy Cumming was for funding to be made over three financial years, but this was extended to allow key priority projects to be developed.

Welcoming the news, Convener of The Highland Council, Councillor Sandy Park said: "This is a welcome sign of the continuing progress the partners in CNSRP have been making in the delivery of a diversified economy. HIE's update shows that key projects at Scrabster Harbour, North Highland College and John O' Groats have benefited from this additional support to the area. We look forward now to seeing the positive impacts of that funding through new jobs and the creation and retention of wealth in Caithness and North Sutherland. Over the past three years over 80 local businesses have committed to the creation or retention of over 500 jobs, despite the wider economic climate."

HIE Area Manager Roy Kirk said: "Whilst this concludes the commitment of the extra funds promised in 2006, we continue to work hard to ensure that this and other projects will deliver the desired economic impact for Caithness and North Sutherland. Our area focus on opportunities in the energy and business services sectors will continue to drive us and our partners forward.