APPROVALS LIST - HIE CAITHNESS AND SUTHERLAND - December 2007

22nd January 2008

The approvals list for HIE Caithness and Sutherland is in two sections. The first details assistance given to businesses, community groups and other public sector authorities to deliver specific projects. The second list details financial approvals for projects that are managed by HIE Caithness and Sutherland itself and designed to deliver wide benefits
for the communities, businesses, organisations and individuals in the Highlands and Islands.

Section 1
The following are funds approved up to the last day of the month. Please note that the sums relate to approvals, not payments. While finance may be approved, for a business investment for example, it does not guarantee that the developments will proceed. The approval simply shows that funds have been made available by HIE Caithness and
Sutherland, but they will not be released until evidence is received that the project or activity has gone ahead.

The approvals include financial assistance to help new and existing businesses to expand and develop for organisations wishing to develop new skills, for a wide range of community-based projects, and for partnership projects involving the HIE Caithness and Sutherland and other public bodies.

HIE Network financial assistance for business
Financial assistance to help new and existing businesses to expand and develop.
Applicant Location - Project Description Funding - (£)

North Highland Products Ltd Caithness Development of new markets 45,600

Scrabster Harbour Trust Thurso Feasibility study into redevelopment of tanker pier 95,800
Corrina Thomson Canisbay Installation of satellite Broadband 1,000

HIE Network financial assistance for community projects
Financial support for a wide range of community-based projects.
Applicant - Location Project - Description - Funding (£)

Golspie Heritage Society Golspie Installation of binoculars on Ben Bhraggie 4,000

Northern Nashville Caithness Country Music Festival C&S Country Music Festival 2008 20,875

Golspie Community Council Golspie Create all-abilities path at Mill Pond 6,918

Canisbay & Dunnet Day Care Centre Caithness Scoping study for community care centre 2,000

Caithness Sports Facilities Thurso Development of design plans for proposed
watersports centre 4,500

Tongue, Melness & Skerray Community Council Sutherland Purchase & installation of route interpretative panels, seating & plinth 3,500

Melness Crofters Estate Sutherland Study in to connection costs for community energy
project 5,875

North Highland Forest Trust Sutherland One-year extension of capacity building
programme for community Forestry groups 7,000

Business start-up
Financial support for new business start-ups.
Applicant - Location - Project Description - Funding (£)

Irene Green Wick 'Tips 2 Toe' - nail technician service 3,000

Donna Keeble Thrumster Childminding service 3,000

HIE Caithness and Sutherland - December 2007 Page 2 of 2 Section 2
Approvals listed below are for projects that are managed by HIE Caithness and Sutherland, itself, sometimes in partnership with other organisations, rather than an external applicant such as a business or community group. Projects are categorised according to strategic objective, as defined in the HIE network strategy document, 'A Smart, Successful Highlands and Islands'.

Growing Businesses: Global success in key sectors
Project - Description - Funding (£)
Retail Study 2007 - detailed study including surveys of retailers, shoppers & householders 45,000