Moray projects secure share of £1.5 million fund
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PROJECTS in Elgin, Dufftown and Keith have secured a share of £1.5 million from the Scotland Loves Local Fund.
Moray council have secured £15,000 for permanent lighting in Elgin city centre to create a more aesthetically pleasing lighting scheme in some of the darker streets to meet with the demands of the local community.
Destination Dufftown have also secured some funding. The tourist information centre will use £17,500 to further support their work promoting the area and boosting the local economy. They are also going to provide support for activities, attractions and businesses in the area.
Meanwhile the Keith and Strathisla Regeneration Partnership secured £10,000 which will be used to carry out work on buildings on the A96 through Keith. Funds will also be used to use two empty shops as pop-up shops, support the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card scheme and open and run the public toilets for tourists and locals.
The Scottish Government fund encourages support for local economies which were impacted by the pandemic.
That includes help to restore local tourism, make town centres more environmentally friendly and support communities to refurbish shop fronts and public spaces ahead of the festive season.
Community Wealth Minister Tom Arthur said: "The Scottish Government is supporting our communities to deliver renewed local prosperity. I hope these grants will help spur on many of the projects which are vital to unlocking the innovation and action which will make our towns and neighbourhoods stronger.
"The Fund provides 50 per cent match funding for local projects between £5,000 and £25,000 and targets funding towards local economies that have been impacted most due to the pandemic, including those in areas with pre‑existing inequality.
"It reinforces our determination to support all our communities as they recover and will help strengthen the vital backing being provided through the Scotland Loves Local marketing campaign and gift card scheme.
"These grants are part of Scottish Government measures to create a fairer, healthier, greener, inclusive and more sustainable economic recovery."
The fund has been administered by Scotland's Towns Partnership (STP), the organisation spearheading Scotland Loves Local with support from the Scottish Government.
STP Chief Officer Phil Prentice said: "Vital work is taking place across Moray and throughout Scotland to revitalise and reimagine our communities. There's real innovation among the projects being supported. I am sure these grants will go a long way to turning these ambitious visions into action, delivering real benefits."
The Scotland Loves Local campaign urges people to think, choose and spend local to help their communities recover from the impact of Covid-19 and build a stronger future.
More details about the Scotland Loves Local campaign can be found here or by following #ScotlandLovesLocal on social media.
