The first orbital spaceflight from the United Kingdom has come a step closer following the Highland Council's decision to give the go-ahead for the Space Hub Sutherland spaceport. Orbex, the UK-based space launch company, has confirmed that Orbex Prime will be the first vertical launch vehicle to fly into orbit from the Space Hub, which will be constructed near Melness on the northern coast of Scotland.
The proposed 2700m² facility is a joint project between Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the University of the Highlands and Islands. Designed by multi-disciplinary design firm Austin-Smith: Lord, it aims to build on the successes of the Centre for Health Science in the grounds of Raigmore Hospital.
The chair of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has welcomed the recommendations of the Advisory Group on Economic Recovery. Alistair Dodds said the report underlined the potential of rural regions to make a strong contribution Scotland's economic recovery.
The public body responsible for Cairngorm Mountain acted appropriately when selecting a private company to manage the resort, but tough decisions on its future are now required. Cairngorm Mountain Limited (CML), which operated the mountain's winter sports and leisure activities, went into administration in 2018 following the closure of the funicular railway due to structural problems.
Innovation is fundamental to business growth and diversification. It is also absolutely essential in Scotland's economic recovery as we emerge from the impacts of COVID-19.
Eleven community organisations in the Highlands and Islands have been awarded a total of £1.5m to develop and deliver long-term solutions to tackle poverty based on local priorities and needs The Aspiring Communities Fund, which levers in European Social Funds, was launched by the Scottish Government in 2017 to help reduce poverty and enable inclusive growth in disadvantaged and fragile communities across Scotland. Regional development agency, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), helped community organisations in the region to apply to this recent round of funding.
The Caithness Business Fund is pleased to announce that, thanks to a generous contribution of £100,000 from Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd (DSRL), it will be running a series of application rounds designed to support local businesses in their recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. This support will be provided in the form of grants ranging from £500 up to a maximum of £5,000, and will be made available initially to eligible businesses in Caithness and North Sutherland which require assistance towards costs incurred in reopening business premises as a result of COVID-19.
The 48-hour challenge was aimed at 18-30-year olds from the north Atlantic region (Greenland, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Coastal Norway and Scotland). Their task was to come up with ideas and develop solutions to save communities, save businesses and save lives during and beyond the COVID-19 crisis.
Fibre communications infrastructure firm, CityFibre, is due on site this week to resume connection works at its fibre hub based on the Campus. NHS Highland is set to begin ground works in preparation for a major development over three plots.
Businesses in the Highlands and Islands looking to boost their productivity and competitiveness through Internet of Things (IoT) technology, are being offered the chance to hear from industry experts. Internet of Things technology enables devices, such as everyday objects, machinery and systems to connect to the internet.
Mr Dodds joined the board of HIE in 2014 and became Deputy Chair in 2018. He has also chaired the development agency's risk and assurance committee for the past four years and represented HIE on the board of the University of the Highlands and Islands.
The Tune into Tourism team recognise that the last few months will undoubtedly have been the most difficult experienced to date as a tourism business owner. We are concerned not only for the welfare of each and every business, but also their owners and operators.
Message From HIE To Businesses. Last week, we contacted you to make you aware of new COVID-19 business funds that had been made available, following the Scottish Government's announcement of an additional £100m support for businesses impacted by COVID-19.
From Highland and Islands Enterprise. Further to Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop's announcement this morning that the Scottish Government's additional £100m fund for businesses impacted by COVID-19 will be open for applications from 2pm, we wanted to provide you with more information about this support.
We would like to reassure you that HIE is doing all it can to gather information and work with Scottish Government to ensure that the appropriate support is reaching our communities and local economy. We hope to soon have more detail about how to access the recently announced Scottish Government grants to help communities affected by Covid19 https://www.gov.scot/news/helping-communities-affected-by-covid-19 You will have seen new headlines emerging daily at a national and UK level with proposed measures to help individuals, businesses and communities.
COVID-19 (coronavirus) information. We're here to help We're here to support you in a number of different ways.
Scotland's two week festival of data was launched on 9th March 2020 by Scottish Government's cabinet secretary for finance Kate Forbes in An Lòchran, Inverness. Now in its fourth year, DataFest will once again showcase Scotland's leading role in data science and artificial intelligence.
Planning permission was granted yesterday for a 32,670 square foot site that will house a distillery, visitor centre and bonded warehouse. The new micro distillery at John O'Groats has secured a grant from Highland and Islands Enterprise of £198,000.
"As we enter our fourteenth year of business, we'll be spreading the word about the benefits of saving with the credit union," said HI-Scot's General Manager, David Mackay. "HI-Scot is member led and member run and we offer a range of services." HI-Scot is well established in the Western Isles, where the credit union is based.
The latest generation of small communications satellites could be launched into Earth orbit from the northern Highlands of Scotland within the next two years. Development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has submitted a planning application for a vertical launch site, Space Hub Sutherland, that it plans to construct on the A' Mhoine peninsula, Melness, near Tongue.