Multi-million recovery plan for Moray
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A £3.84million recovery plan for Moray will be considered by councillors next month.
The cash would be invested over the next three years in a number of initiatives designed to kick-start the economy.
These include:
- Town Centre Start-Up – 50% grants up to a £10,000 maximum for individual start-ups
- A pop-up shop scheme in the main five towns of Buckie, Elgin, Forres, Keith and Lossiemouth
- Town Centre Fund grants for converting empty properties into living space, plus 50% grants for dividing large retail premises into smaller units
- Young Company Capital Investment Scheme – grants of up £50k for investment in equipment
- New procurement support to assist local firms in accessing public sector contracts
- Rural Tourism Fund to support a network of toilets
- 15 council jobs for young people through the Kick Start scheme
- Development of new employment land in Forres and Speyside
The council says the plan been in development since the early days of the pandemic.
It adds that the cash required to fund the various initiatives is separate from the £100million contained within the Moray Growth Deal
The plan will be discussed by councillors on Wednesday, October 28.
Moray has been hard hit by a downturn across most business sectors, with 34% of the workforce furloughed – the second highest figure in Scotland, behind only the Highlands (35%).
Moray Council's leader, Graham Leadbitter, stated it was vital that the authority takes a lead in getting the area back onto its feet.
Cllr Leadbitter (Elgin South, SNP) said: "Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic Moray’s economic prospects looked very positive and we can’t lose sight of that.
"The current crisis being faced by the world has radically changed things but we have a strong foundation in Moray upon which to build.
"The Moray Growth Deal is a huge opportunity for economic growth, as is the continuing expansion of RAF Lossiemouth.
"We need to complement these positives by focussing on the areas that will be under the most stress as a result of the pandemic and the range of measures being proposed seeks to do exactly that.
"Investing in our town centres, the hospitality sector and ensuring that there are opportunities for young people here in Moray will be of vital importance.
"These measures have been put forward after a series of consultation events, where we had excellent ideas and feedback from business and community representatives.
"This will now be considered by councillors and must be backed by investment from a range of partner organisations as well as the council, if we are to succeed in moving our local economy forward."
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