Forres Enterprise Park innovation centre contract worth £1.3 million is awarded to Morrison Construction
A six-figure contract has been awarded for the creation of a brand-new innovation centre that is expected to support up to 300 manufacturing jobs in the next decade.
Developer Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has awarded a £1.3 million contract to Morrison Construction to refurbish a building and create the new Manufacturing Innovation Centre Moray.
The centre will be located on the Enterprise Park near Forres, in a building that is currently owned by HIE.
Works include the creation of business incubator spaces alongside project spaces where existing business can innovate, as well as a demonstrator suite for showcasing the latest concepts in advanced manufacturing technology and equipment.
There are currently around 7000 manufacturing jobs in Moray in sectors such as whisky and other food and drink, technology and advanced engineering, and forestry. This is more per head of population than any other part of Scotland.
Manufacturing Innovation Centre Moray (MICM) is a Moray Growth Deal project that includes more than £4 million of UK and Scottish Government funding and a £2.56 million investment from HIE.
Once completed, it will provide support and advice to manufacturing companies across the area. It will support hundreds of jobs over the next 10 years.
The centre’s primary focus will be on stimulating innovation and growth in product and process development, with a strong emphasis on transitioning to low carbon practices.
David Reid, HIE area manager for Moray, said: “MICM is all about innovation, growth, productivity, and efficiency in Moray’s indigenous manufacturing companies and increasing the number of manufacturing start-ups in the area.
“It will encourage more research and development and help attract manufacturing inward investment.
“In a wider sense, the new centre will be designed to support the creation of higher paid jobs, improve skills among the workforce, attract and retain more young people, and encourage occupational integration and gender balance.
“Planning for the project has been a long and detailed process involving many partners and stakeholders and we are grateful to all those who have helped to get things to this stage.
“We are delighted to be awarding the construction contract and look forward to continuing our close collaboration as we advance the project in the coming months.”