Argyll and Bute Council has welcomed the announcement of a £50 million Rural Growth Deal as a ‘transformational vote of confidence’ in the area.

The council has been championing a deal for Argyll and Bute with the UK and Scottish Governments, based on a number of projects developed with public and private sector partners.

The UK and Scottish Governments announced investment of £25m each in Argyll and Bute on Wednesday.

The news follows a pledge made by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, on a visit to Faslane in July, that the area would get a share of a £300m fund aimed at expanding growth deals to cover the whole of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

READ MORE: PM says Argyll and Bute will get a share of £300m growth deal cash

Council leader and Helensburgh councillor Aileen Morton said: “This scale of investment is a transformational vote of confidence in the future of Argyll and Bute.

“This area has fantastic natural resources, an innovative, skilled workforce, and public and private sector organisations committed to its future success.

“However, to deliver the change needed to build our economy and with it a sustainable future for Argyll and Bute, we need significant investment.

“That is what we have achieved through our Rural Growth Deal.

“Our next step will be to work with the Scottish and UK Governments to prioritise how we put this investment to work for Argyll and Bute.”

READ MORE: Councillors approve Argyll and Bute growth deal proposals

Along with its partners, the council had designed outline proposals to deliver success across Argyll and Bute, based on three key drivers: attracting additional skills, training and learning opportunities; new residents, visitors and businesses; growing, by doing more of what works and making more of the area's natural and built resources; and connecting the area's high value business sectors with national and international business markets and linking local economic successes with national strategic priorities.

Most of the Helensburgh and Lomond proposals are closely linked to the expansion of HM Naval Base Clyde, which will become home to the Royal Navy's entire submarine fleet by 2022 and will see its total workforce increase to 8,500 military and civilian personnel.

The local priorities include more space for businesses in the Helensburgh area, better transport links between the town centre and Faslane, and the creation of an engineering hub to support business and research – as well as knock-on investment in the area's villages.

READ MORE: Growth deal 'crucial to Argyll and Bute's future', says council leader

Depute leader Councillor Gary Mulvaney, also a Helensburgh councillor, paid tribute to everyone involved in developing the deal.

He said: “Securing such significant investment is down to public and private sectors, and members of the public through consultation, working together for the future of Argyll and Bute.

“It is important to note that this funding will be dedicated to transformational development projects; it cannot be used for day-to-day service delivery.

“It provides a strong foundation for delivering rural growth deal priorities. This is great news for Argyll and Bute.”

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