Eskdale shares £220k to rebuild economy: Project officer will support community to identify opportunities

ESKDALE is in line for a massive financial boost through a project supported by the South of Scotland Economic Partnership (SoSEP).
It will share £220,710 with Peebles, Newlands, Tweedsmuir, Stranraer, Kirkcudbright and Kirkconnel and Kelloholm.
The project will be run by Highlands & Islands Enterprise as part of its strengthening communities programme.
Funding will primarily support project officer posts to assist with the delivery of asset-based income generating activity for each community.
Officers will support communities to identify their needs and opportunities, agree actions and project plans.
SoSEP has awarded £7.68m in total to projects in Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders to provide careers opportunities and build community resilience.
Four key enterprise projects will reinvigorate southern Scotland’s economy and stimulate inclusive growth, supported by Scottish government funding.
A total of £6.6m over two years has been awarded to a project to be delivered by Dumfries and Galloway College and Borders College to create a physical and digital hub network to provide better access to training in health and social care, renewable energy, engineering and construction.
A funding award of £250,000 over two years has been made to aid the regeneration of Annan by helping to deliver the Annan action plan after the closure of Pinneys.
A centre of excellence for training in textiles will be created in Hawick through a grant of £610,000 for two years and there is the £220,710 grant to support community resilience and development for the seven communities.
Announcing the funding during a visit to Dumfries and Galloway College, Fergus Ewing, rural secretary, said: “This is a clear statement of the government’s intent to grow and regenerate the economy in southern Scotland.
“Earlier this year we brought together experts from the public and private sectors to create a new, dedicated partnership in advance of the new enterprise agency to drive forward that regeneration.
“SoSEP has now identified four projects which are sure to bring long-term social and economic benefits to the area.
“Of course, these are major projects which will take time to be worked up and delivered.
“It’s great to see the partnership injecting fresh impetus into the area’s economy.

”“I’m certain that, with the dedicated focus and expertise provided by SoSEP, backed by significant levels of government funding, we will see a tangible strengthening of the economic environment in one of Scotland’s most important regions.”
Professor Russel Griggs of SoSEP, said: “This funding announcement is exciting news and confirms our ambition and commitment to make the south the thriving economy we know it can be.
“There is a huge amount of work underway in the partnership to support and develop projects which will deliver long-term social and economic benefits.
“We will make further funding announcements shortly.
“Our recent engagement exercise, with 26 events and more than 500 people attending, gave a valuable insight into what we need to do.
“Better opportunities for training and supporting communities were key priorities.
“The announcement of this funding demonstrates our commitment to address these priorities immediately.”