This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Euro funding for West of Scotland
22/08/2005
A Dunbartonshire programme to increase investment in
business innovation and a major regeneration programme in
Renfrewshire are two of 56 projects sharing in the latest
round of European funding.
Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning
Allan Wilson said that the awards from the Western Scotland
Objective 2 Programme were expected to create around 2,000
new jobs across the region.
Scottish Enterprise Dunbartonshire are receiving
£255,000 for a three year Innovation Programme to address
low investment in research and development. The project is
expected to assist 72 existing and new businesses, increase
business investment by over £1 million and create 30
jobs.
Renfrewshire Council's masterplan for the Cart Corridor
Regeneration has been awarded £537,000 for the first phase
of works to clear and clean up brownfield land. The Council
are also awarded £1.13 million to improve the accessibility
and environment of Renfrew town centre.
Other awards include:
- Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire - £1 million for
accommodation at Prestwick Aerospace Park;
- North Lanarkshire Council - £354,000 for North
Lanarkshire Construction Project to promote
apprenticeship training for over-18s;
- University of Glasgow - £223,000 for a marketing
and promotional campaign associated with the September
2006 Charles Rennie Mackintosh festival;
- Govan Initiative Ltd - £143,000.
Speaking at Reid Kerr College, Paisley, after touring
the Cart Corridor project, Mr Wilson said:
"These awards aim to improve the competitiveness of West
of Scotland businesses, support capital projects and draw
in investment and visitors.
"European funding also has a critical role in supporting
community regeneration and helping people with training and
access to the labour market.
"The £22 million in European grants is supported by a
further £60 million investment from the Enterprise
Networks, local authorities, the voluntary sector, further
and higher education, and the private sector.
"Across the West of Scotland, this partnership is
improving the lives of individuals and the fabric of
communities."
The current 2000-2006 Western Scotland Objective 2
Programme will invest around £300 million of European funds
in the area by December 2006. Around 800 economic and
social regeneration projects have been supported since
2000.