MORE than £25 million is to be invested in disadvantaged and remote communities around Scotland to support regeneration and employment projects.
The money from the Scottish Government’s regeneration capital grant fund (RCGF) will go to 26 projects aimed at tackling inequalities and delivering inclusive growth.
The government said that over 400 businesses and organisations will benefit from the funding, creating 1,220 jobs in the process as well as ‘thousands’ of training places and the refurbishing and bringing back into use of 26 empty buildings to provide space for community enterprises.
The Scottish Government’s communities secretary, Aileen Campbell, said, “Together with COSLA we have invested almost £200 million through this fund since 2014 in support of locally-led regeneration projects which help to build the resilience and wellbeing of communities. I am pleased that a further 26 projects will benefit from the fund as we look to a period of recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We have had to lead our lives locally, pulling together more as communities, to see off the many challenges arising from coronavirus. This latest round of investment into local projects continues our ongoing support for vibrant and accessible town centres and communities.”
COSLA’s environment and economy spokesperson, councillor Steven Heddle, added, “This work has never been more important as we look to rebuild from the devastating impact of Covid-19. Recovery from the virus must be fair to our communities and promote inclusivity, growth and wellbeing.
“The innovative projects announced today can empower our communities to deliver better places to live and work.”
Among the projects being funded this year is The Old Clyne School Redevelopment Project in Brora, Highland. It will redevelop a derelict C-listed building to become a community-owned museum and heritage centre, and to be a base for the Clyne Heritage Society.
Dr Nick Lindsay, chairman of the Clyne Heritage Society, said, “This is the best news that we could have hoped for, in what has been a very difficult year. This should unlock the final ‘brick-in-the-wall’ funds from other funding partners, so we can deliver this major development for Brora.
“We can now fulfil our dreams by regenerating the Old Clyne School into a must-visit destination, transforming a current eyesore into a welcome attraction for the whole community and future generations.”
The projects to receive the offer of a grant:
| Aberdeen City Council | Victoria Road School Community Element | £ 1,408,965 |
| Aberdeenshire Council | Number 30, The Square | £ 2,490,903 |
| Argyll and Bute Council | Kilmory Park Zones 1, 2 & 4, Lochgilphead | £ 650,000 |
| Argyll and Bute Council | Port Ellen Community Hub | £ 746,223 |
| Argyll and Bute Council | Scalasaig Business Units | £ 335,000 |
| City of Edinburgh Council | Granton Station; Enterprise Hub | £ 1,236,150 |
| City of Edinburgh Council | Nourishing Leith Hub | £ 944,744 |
| Comhairlie nan Eilean Siar | Leverhulme Community Hub | £ 300,000 |
| Dundee City Council | Camperdown Community Growing Hub | £ 899,305 |
| East Dunbartonshire Council | Twechar Outdoor Pursuits Training and Education Centre | £ 1,100,000 |
| Fife Council | Town House Community Hub – Inverkeithing | £ 475,000 |
| Glasgow City Council | The Meat Market Sheds Regeneration Project | £ 2,640,000 |
| Glasgow City Council | Greater Pollok Community Learning Hub | £ 600,000 |
| Glasgow City Council | SWG3: Yardworks Street Arts Hub | £ 500,000 |
| Highland Council | Old Clyne School Redevelopment into new Heritage Centre | £ 982,793 |
| Highland Council | Raasay Community Pontoon | £ 442,858 |
| Inverclyde Council | The Inverclyde Shed | Meet, Make + Share | £ 504,804 |
| Inverclyde Council | Community Hub , KGVI | £ 1,184,000 |
| North Ayrshire Council | The Regeneration of Millport Town Hall | £ 1,500,000 |
| North Ayrshire Council | Stevenston Beach Hub | £ 130,000 |
| North Lanarkshire Council | Reeltime, Motherwell – Music Studios & Creative Hub | £ 1,171,270 |
| North Lanarkshire Council | Springhill Community Hub | £ 790,000 |
| Perth and Kinross Council | The Perth Y Centre | £ 1,500,000 |
| Scottish Borders Council | Yetholm Community Asset Regeneration Project | £ 133,710 |
| South Ayrshire Council | Enterprising Carrick | £ 729,659 |
| West Dunbartonshire Council | Viresco Studios and Arts Centre | £ 750,000 |
