Contract awarded for Manufacturing Innovation Centre Moray
A £1.3m contract has been awarded for the refurbishment of a building on Enterprise Park Forres to create the new Manufacturing Innovation Centre Moray (MICM).
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Scotia Gas Networks (SGN) is working in partnership with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the Highland Council on behalf of the Scottish Government to conduct the study.
SGN has commissioned Explain Market Research to undertake the work.
Representatives from Explain will be in the area in June to find out more about the opinions of local people and businesses on bringing a gas network to the area.
Door-to-door and street interviews will be carried out in Fort William over the next few weeks. There will also be telephone interviews with businesses and stakeholders, and focus groups will be held with members of the public.
SGN manages the network that distributes natural and green gas to homes and businesses across Scotland and the south of England.
The timing of this study is driven by the opening of a new manufacturing plant in the area.
Liberty’s Aluminum division owns and operates the only remaining aluminum smelter in the UK – Liberty British Aluminum based in Fort William. Liberty is planning investment to build a factory to make alloy wheels. It could add 400 jobs to the 170 already working at the smelter.
Planning permission for the factory was granted at the end of January.
The opening of the Liberty Factory represents an opportunity to understand whether there is sufficient demand for a gas network in Fort William.
There are many ways to have your say on the subject:
Also look out for Explain market researchers operating in the area and make sure you have your say.
A £1.3m contract has been awarded for the refurbishment of a building on Enterprise Park Forres to create the new Manufacturing Innovation Centre Moray (MICM).
Food and Drink TechHUB will provide financial and advice support to help businesses, including social and community enterprises, with commercial growth and net zero transition activities.
The funding can help cover the costs of equipment, new technology or fixtures and fittings, or to construct, adapt or upgrade business premises or other infrastructure.
The improvements will enable the company to continue its growth through increased capacity and efficiencies in production.
CMSL board member Tim Hurst will become interim chief executive
As a result of HIE’s support, businesses in the area are set to see combined turnover rise by £22.4m, while international sales will grow by £661,000.
There was support for businesses and social enterprises to lower emissions and improve efficiencies within their operations.
Figures show that businesses and communities supported by HIE across Lochaber Skye and Wester Ross during last financial year are set to create or retain around 50 jobs, including 15 in fragile areas.
The project is expected to continue to attract innovative marine businesses, creating new well-paid job opportunities, particularly for young people, and encouraging entrepreneurship.