The location of brand new offices being built in Keith by HIE Moray was visited by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) board members today (Tuesday, February 20), who were pleased to see the start Tulloch Construction had made on site. The board toured the project prior to the network's third public board meeting which was held at The Loft.

The office development, which will cost £1.149m and be capable of supporting 70 jobs, is being constructed on the site of the former Mansfield Hotel in Keith. The project is one of a number of measures being developed in line with the Moray 2020 strategy devised to combat economic challenges including the consequences of restructuring at Kinloss and Lossiemouth RAF bases.

During the meeting the board considered a draft of the HIE network's operating plan for the next three years. This sets out objectives under the organisation's four strategic objectives: strengthening communities, developing skills, making global connections and growing businesses. The plan maintains the HIE network's commitment to a number of large-scale strategic projects across the Highlands and Islands and sets new annual targets for its eight 'primary measures'. Following agreement by the board it now goes to the Scottish Executive for ministerial endorsement.

HIE chairman William Roe said: "Our operating plan covers three years and is revised annually to enable the network to respond swiftly to changing economic circumstances. This is a period of great success in the region - economic growth and employment rates in the Highlands and Islands are above both Scottish and UK averages, we have a rising population and some very good 'quality of life' indicators compared with elsewhere.

"We need to build on these successes intelligently and identify how our interventions can bring the best reward in terms of economic and community benefits as needs develop over the next three years. I am confident that our research has provided us with a clear way ahead to achieve this, and I am delighted that board members agree."

The meeting was addressed by HIE Moray area director James Gibbs, who reported: "The consultation carried out prior to formulating the Moray 2020 strategy, indicated a strong requirement for modern infrastructure in the Elgin, Forres, Buckie and Keith areas.

"By providing attractive and well-designed offices in Keith, we believe we can attract investors who may now be looking for a prime location within easy reach of Aberdeen.

"The RAF task force team continues to work with the MoD to ensure that those leaving the base but wishing to remain in Moray, are able to do so. Last week we held a highly successful speed networking event with 12 prospective employers meeting 40 RAF leavers. A number of these made useful contacts for possible future employment in Moray outside the base."

Also on the agenda at the board meeting was a report following the Scottish Executive's study on the future of Initiative at the Edge (Iomairt aig an Oir), a partnership to help regenerate some of the most economically and socially fragile communities of the region. The board endorsed the opinion that, while the functions of IatE could ultimately become embedded in an existing public sector organisation, current requirements still rendered its existing format the most appropriate.

Specific progresses were also reported in the network's key priorities including renewable energy; the roll-out of broadband technology; the migrant workers support programme, and the future challenges for Careers Scotland.