Renewable energy firm ENERCON welcomed to Wick Business Park
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) developed the units in response to local demand.
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The proposed 2700m² facility is a joint project between Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Designed by multi-disciplinary design firm Austin-Smith: Lord, it aims to build on the successes of the Centre for Health Science in the grounds of Raigmore Hospital.
The project is intended to create an innovative human health and life sciences multidisciplinary healthcare research and innovation hub serving the Highlands and Islands region.
It will align closely with a separate development on Inverness Campus being taken forward by NHS Highland.
The three organisations plan to integrate academic healthcare research, delivery of clinical care to patients, and the creation of new commercial opportunities, products and services in health science and technology.
Ruaraidh MacNeil, HIE’s Inverness Campus project director, said:
“We are very pleased to see this project reach the planning stage. Our intention is to create a facility dedicated to the commercialisation of health and life sciences research, and one that supports the continued growth of the University of the Highlands and Islands.
“The partnership approach, and the alignment with the NHS Highland project, is very much in keeping with the collaborative ethos of Inverness Campus.
“The new commercial opportunities and high value career options likely to stem from all of this would help attract and retain new talent for the region.”
The University of the Highlands and Islands element of the life sciences innovation centre secured £9m from the UK Government through the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal. The Deal is a joint £315 million initiative supported by both the UK and Scottish governments.
The University was also successful in securing funding from the European Regional Development Fund Scotland Programme 2014-2020.
Fiona Larg, the University of the Highlands and Islands’ Chief Operating Officer and Company Secretary, said:
“It is exciting to see this collaborative project progress to the planning stage. The development will increase our research in fields such as medical nanotechnology and digital health and will help us to provide greater support to the region’s life sciences sector.
“We hope to create a facility of national significance which will bring economic benefits to our region through innovation, commercialisation, company and job creation and the attraction and retention of talent.”
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) developed the units in response to local demand.
HIE will manage the fund on behalf of Scottish Government
The Inverness Caledonian Thistle Community Development is leading the £1.28m project, which will create five jobs and around 50 volunteering opportunities.
The Scottish Government has begun recruitment to appoint a new Chair for the Board of development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
Tha Riaghaltas na h-Alba air tòiseachadh a’ trusadh gus Cathraiche ùr fhastadh chun a’ Bhùird aig a’ bhuidheann leasachaidh Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd ’s nan Eilean (HIE).
HIE’s application is for permission to establish infrastructure, such as roads and utilities, to create serviced plots for sale to developers.
There’s a focus on renewable energy and the need to maximise economic and community benefits while driving the transition to net zero.
A £1.6m project to boost the Easter Ross economy through net zero initiatives, community learning and development has been awarded up to £450,000 from HIE.
The move will help facilitate the company’s further growth. Its corporate and compliance team of ten will relocate to Aurora House, with the company’s operational base remaining in Beauly.
Project will help support economic growth and strengthen population retention in Caithness