Economy Secretary visits Highlands for progress update on Investment

1st May 2018

The £315 million Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal is already benefiting the Highlands and supporting the area's drive for economic prosperity.

Economy Secretary Keith Brown was given an update on the current investment during a visit to Inverness to meet council officials and see some of the projects benefiting under the deal. These included the Raining Stairs affordable housing project and Science Skills Academy in the Highland Capital.

Regional partners in the Highlands estimate the funding could unlock up to an additional £800m from the private sector and play a key role in securing long term productivity and economic growth as the region seeks to position itself as a centre of digital opportunity.

Economy Secretary Keith Brown said:

"Our cities and their regions are the engines of our economy and the Scottish Government is committed to working with our cities to unlock investment and boost the Inverness region's potential. City Deals are one of our economic initiatives to stimulate growth and deliver infrastructure investment that will benefit both people and business.

"It has been extremely heartening to see the results of this investment today and the positive impact it is already having across the city. I look forward to continuing working with local partners to ensure both Inverness and the wider Highland region prosper, now and in the years to come."

Margaret Davidson, Leader of Highland Council said: “The Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal is already delivering real and meaningful benefits to the Highlands, with the promise of securing a sustainable economic future for the region through this valuable investment in skills, business development and innovation, digital connectivity, transport infrastructure, housing and tourism.

“We have seen the start of important housing projects, the roll-out of free wifi, the completion of the first stage of the West Link and the development of the Newton Rooms and other exciting innovation and life science projects. We have always recognised that it is the private sector that will grow our economy and that our role is to enable and facilitate that growth and this is very much what the City-Region Deal seeks to do."

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Today : Local Authority

Launch of New Transport Service for Renal Patients in Highland

NHS Highland and The Highland Council are pleased to announce the launch of a new bespoke year-round transport service for renal haemodialysis patients across Highland.   Funded through a grant from NHS Highland, the service marks the first phase of a new approach to patient transport delivery, designed to support the long-term development of a more sustainable, flexible and community-focused transport model for Highland.  

Today : Local Authority

Economy and Infrastructure Committee to consider next steps on proposed Short Term Let Control Areas

Members of The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee will meet next Monday (28 September 2026) to consider whether to progress proposals for new Short Term Let Control Areas across parts of Highland.   At the special meeting, councillors will be asked to consider the findings of a public consultation on proposed control areas covering Inverness City and a wider Highland Rural area, before deciding whether the proposals should be submitted to Scottish Ministers for approval.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Scotland's Local Government Reform: More Local Power or Mainly a Search for Savings?

The Scottish Government is proposing a major reshaping of local government, with fewer regional authorities and many more community-level bodies making decisions closer to where people live.   The language is about local democracy, stronger communities and bringing decisions closer to people.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Local Government Set For Huge Changes

Initial proposals designed to deliver fundamental reform of local governance have been set out to help shape the debate on improving public services.   The possible changes, if implemented, could help achieve a better balance of decision-making powers across the public sector to ensure investment is focused on delivering improved services.  

21/9/2026 : Local Authority

Council Tax Reform: Just How Many Scots Took Part in the Debate?

Council tax is one of those bills that most households know only too well.   It arrives every month or in a series of instalments, and it helps pay for services ranging from rubbish collection and roads to schools, social care and other council services.  

19/9/2026 : Local Authority

Why Scotland Is Reorganising Public Services – And Why Highland Could Feel the Impact More Than Most

Something important is happening in Scotland's public services, and it goes considerably further than another round of annual budget cuts.   The Scottish Government is now talking about changing the way public services themselves are organised.  

18/9/2026 : Local Authority

Highland Council's £2.1 Billion Investment Plan: Could Higher Interest Rates Put the Squeeze on Future Budgets?

Highland Council is planning to spend around £2.1 billion over 20 years on schools, roads, housing, community facilities and other infrastructure.   It is an ambitious programme, and one which could bring considerable benefits across the Highlands.  

17/9/2026 : Local Authority

New Industry Connect Highland programme to strengthen links between schools and employers

Secondary schools and employers across the Highlands are coming together through a new partnership programme designed to connect classroom learning with future career opportunities and help develop the Highlands future workforce.   Industry Connect Highland, developed through My Highland Future and Workforce North, will run throughout the 2026/27 academic year with an initial focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).  

15/9/2026 : Local Authority

Help Shape Highland's Future: Call for Ideas Extended Until November

Communities, businesses and residents are being given extra time to share ideas that will influence future development and land use across Highland.   The Highland Council has an open Call for Ideas survey, which is inviting people to share ideas on future development and long-term land use in Highland.  

12/9/2026 : Local Authority

Caithness This Week A Region Facing Big Decisions on Energy, Money and Its Future

Caithness has had a busy week, although the individual stories might not initially appear to have much in common.   Look a little more closely, however, and a pattern begins to emerge.