The council has agreed an investment of £600,000 in boosting the economy across Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands.
The investment comes from the council’s share of Scottish Crown Estate funding, for projects designed to support the economy and lifestyle in communities across the area.
Scottish Crown Estate funding focuses on delivering benefits for coastal communities based on four key priorities: the environment, community, climate change and economic development.
Policy Lead for Business and Regeneration, Councillor Alastair Redman said:
“This is all about making life better for people now and in the longer term – investing in our economy and our environment will help develop a sustainable economy and lifestyle.”
The funding will be shared across a number of initiatives:
- Public Realm investments in Ardrishaig, Tarbert, and Port Ellen;
- Kilmory Industrial Estate, Lochgilphead: supporting the development of an expanded business site to help create new job opportunities for mid-Argyll;
- Climate Change Hub, Lochgilphead: support to develop climate-friendly activity through Argyll and the Isles Countryside Trust’s (ACT) awareness raising of climate issues;
- Jura Community Gigabit Programme: support to assist the community to achieve full fibre connectivity across the whole island;
- Campbeltown economy: funding towards community priorities for supporting the local economy associated with a new community action plan for the town.
Chair of the MAKI Area Committee, Councillor Rory Colville said:
“This investment will deliver benefits for local people and the local economy. We are living in unprecedented times, and need to make investment work for both our day-to-day lives and the longer term economic recovery. This funding is good news for the area.”