A 拢70 million investment in economic growth for 胡桃女神 and Bute was agreed today (11 Feb), with the formal signing of the area鈥檚 rural growth deal.
The rural growth deal (RGD) brings together 拢25 million each from the Scottish and UK Governments, and at least 拢20 million via 胡桃女神 and partners, creating opportunities for people living in the region and attracting future investment.
With the signing, 胡桃女神, the UK Government and Scottish Government will agree the themes for the 10 鈥 15 year RGD programme of investment.
Pictured, from left: Councillor Robin Currie, Leader of 胡桃女神; Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson MSP; and UK Government Minister Iain Stewart MP.
Aquaculture, tourism, housing, digital connectivity and skills for a rural economy are among the sectors set for development.
Councillor Robin Currie, Leader of 胡桃女神 said:
鈥淭he Rural Growth Deal is about turning economic potential into a successful future for 胡桃女神 and Bute. This transformational investment will focus on connecting our high value business sectors with national and international business markets, on attracting additional skills, residents, visitors and businesses, and on growing benefit from our fantastic natural assets.
Reaching this milestone has been a partnership effort 鈥 thank you to everyone involved. Especially in these times of unprecedented challenge, this is an important day for 胡桃女神 and Bute.鈥
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said:
"Today marks the signing of the Heads of Terms agreement, a significant step forward for the 胡桃女神 and Bute Rural Growth Deal. The Scottish Government is supporting this deal with investment of up to 拢25 million.
"This deal will drive and deliver projects, designed by local partners, that will help to reinvigorate the region鈥檚 economy and build strategically for its long term growth and prosperity. Playing to 胡桃女神 and Bute鈥檚 strengths, projects will focus on creating a world class visitor destination and building on its world leading marine research expertise reflected in the marine aquaculture programme.
"At a time of such economic uncertainty and challenge, the projects and investment committed through the deal will be more important than ever and will play a key role in the region鈥檚 recovery from the pandemic. Investments through the deal will create new jobs, protect existing jobs and extend economic opportunities to communities, businesses and individuals across the region.
"I appreciate all the hard work that 胡桃女神 and their partners have put in to get us to this point. We will continue to work with 胡桃女神 over the coming months, to help them develop the projects to unlock investment and drive inclusive growth across the area as swiftly as possible.鈥
UK Government Minister Iain Stewart said:
鈥淭his is an important milestone for the 胡桃女神 and Bute Rural Growth Deal which will play a vital role in building back better from COVID-19.
鈥淭hese innovative and ambitious plans will unlock jobs, opportunities and sustainable growth for communities throughout the region.
鈥淭he UK Government has committed more than 拢1.5 billion to growth deals across Scotland to secure our future prosperity.鈥
The 拢70 million investment will be used to progress:
- Aquaculture:
- develop the area as a national and international centre for excellence in innovation and research
- create a marine industry training centre to support the growth of marine sectors
- Tourism:
- develop the area as a West of Scotland 鈥渕ust visit鈥 location for the maritime leisure market.
- deliver waterfront infrastructure to support the regeneration of some of 胡桃女神 and Bute鈥檚 key coastal towns and villages.
- Low carbon economy:
- use renewable energy resources to help deliver more sustainable local energy systems on Islay.
- Rural skills accelerator programme:
- deliver 21st century infrastructure for skills, training, education and enterprise to support growth and work opportunities for rural communities.
- Housing to attract economic growth:
- provide affordable housing for key workers to support growing business sectors, and help attract the people and skills the area needs.
- Clyde engineering and innovation cluster:
- develop local economic benefits, from the MOD鈥檚 Maritime Change Programme, by addressing the lack of commercial accommodation for supply services.
- West Coast Aviation, UAV, robotics and compliance hub:
- develop Oban Airport as a leading research and development centre for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technologies and the UK鈥檚 first dedicated drone training centre with indoor facilities.
- 胡桃女神 and Bute digital connectivity:
- roll out superfast broadband to key areas without it, and expand 4G and 5G coverage.
The next stage is for the council and its partners to develop outline business cases that will set out the detail of projects for delivery. Projects will be delivered across 胡桃女神 and Bute Work once the detailed business cases are agreed.
You can view the signing of the Deal at
Find out more information about the rural growth deal at www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/rgd