HIE reports successful year - including in Sutherland
Economic development agency, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), has reported a successful year of investment and job creation in the region for 2014/15 as the 50th anniversary of its predecessor approaches.
More than a thousand jobs are expected to be created or retained in the region, as a result of HIE’s investments last year, 103 of these in Caithness and Sutherland, 29 of which are in fragile areas.
A summary of the organisation’s year-end figures shows turnover among supported businesses and social enterprises in Caithness and Sutherland will increase by £14.3 million as a result of HIE’s investments.
International activity in the area is expected to lead to an increase in international sales by businesses of £7.1 million.
There was major progress in specific sectors, especially tourism, food and drink and energy. The agency has been working with colleagues in the Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership to ensure the local economy continues to diversify and make the most of opportunities, especially around renewable energy projects in the North Sea and the Pentland Firth.
Wave Energy Scotland is now operational, North Highland Initiative is bringing together tourism businesses from the private and voluntary sector across Caithness and Sutherland with ideas such as the North Coast 500, and businesses such as Scrabster Seafoods are expanding.
New community-owned social housing, supported by HIE, was opened in Helmsdale and significant investment was made in tourism projects including Kylesku Hotel and artworks at the reinvigorated John O’Groats.
Investments made in social enterprises in the area are anticipated to increase turnover in the social economy by £256,200; £116,200 of which will be generated by community-owned assets. HIE’s administration of the Scottish Land Fund (SLF) continued to support community asset acquisition across Scotland. In the past year a further 17,833 acres of land came into community ownership across Scotland through 14 acquisitions with £4.67 million SLF support.
The first year of fibre broadband roll-out has provided access to next generation broadband to more than 50,000 premises. HIE is also delivering Community Broadband Scotland (CBS) across the country to reach premises unlikely to be reached by the next generation broadband project.
Around 30,000 homes and businesses in over 30 Highland towns and villages in the Highland Council area now have fibre based broadband services available to order. Exchanges in both Wick and Thurso have been upgraded and recent areas where the first homes and businesses can order include Castletown and Embo.
HIE area manager for Caithness and Sutherland, Roy Kirk, said: “We are putting a lot of emphasis on account management and relationships with businesses that have growth potential and ambition. Each year we set challenging goals that deliver measurable benefits for those clients, and that enable the region to contribute to Scotland’s economic growth.
“At the same time, our commitment to community development, much of which is also underpinned by account management, has achieved excellent results. Groups such as North Coast Connection, Transport for Tongue and Helmsdale & District Development Trust are spearheading innovative projects and helping to improve the resilience of some of our most fragile areas.
“Community ownership of land and assets continues to grow and there is similar growth among many social enterprises, which helps tackle inequality, create jobs, develop skills and boost the economy.”
