Argyll and Bute 'rural growth deal' worth £70m is signed and sealed

The administrations at Westminster and Holyrood have each committed to contributing up to £25m to a programme of investment set to last for between 10 and 15 years, and Argyll and Bute Council and its partners will put in a minimum of £20m.

Tourism, housing, digital connectivity, aquaculture and rural economy skills are among the key themes of the deal.

Among the projects earmarked for investment as part of the funding package is the setting-up of a "Clyde engineering and innovation cluster", linked to the expansion of the Royal Navy base at Faslane and Coulport, by addressing a lack of commercial premises in the area for supply services.

The council's leader, Councillor Robin Currie, said: “The Rural Growth Deal is about turning economic potential into a successful future for Argyll and Bute.

HM Naval Base Clyde at Faslane

"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 – thank you to everyone involved. Especially in these times of unprecedented challenge, this is an important day for Argyll and Bute.”

READ MORE: Faslane naval base growth 'vital to Argyll and Bute's future', new council chief insists

Other priorities identified in the deal include developing the area as a west of Scotland “must visit” location for the maritime leisure market, and providing waterfront infrastructure to support the regeneration of some of the area's key coastal towns and villages.

Michael Matheson MSP, Scotland's cabinet secretary for transport, infrastructure and connectivity, said: "Today marks the signing of the Heads of Terms agreement, a significant step forward for the Argyll and Bute Rural Growth Deal.

"This deal will drive and deliver projects, designed by local partners, that will help to reinvigorate the region’s economy and build strategically for its long term growth and prosperity.

The Rural Growth Deal proposals identify marine leisure as a key area for growth

"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’s 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."

The deal also includes a commitment to provide affordable housing for key workers to support growing business sectors, to roll out superfast broadband to key areas in Argyll and Bute which do not currently have it, and to expand 4G and 5G coverage across the area.

READ MORE: Boris Johnson commits to Argyll and Bute growth deal cash during visit to Faslane

UK Government Minister Iain Stewart added: “This is an important milestone for the Argyll and Bute Rural Growth Deal which will play a vital role in building back better from Covid-19.

“These innovative and ambitious plans will unlock jobs, opportunities and sustainable growth for communities throughout the region.

“The UK Government has committed more than £1.5 billion to growth deals across Scotland to secure our future prosperity.”

The next stage in the project is for the council and its partners to develop outline business cases that will set out the detail of projects for delivery.

Work will begin once the detailed business cases are agreed.

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